Freshwater, climate change, invasive species and the Green Economy. E. Shippen Bright BrightNGOsolutions

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2 Freshwater, climate change, invasive species and the Green Economy E. Shippen Bright BrightNGOsolutions

3 WATER WATER EVERYWHERE BUT NOT A DROP TO DRINK

4 What s the global freshwater picture?

5 Though the planet has 333 million cubic miles of water, 97.5 percent of it is too salty to use. The remaining 2.5 percent is freshwater. Yet nearly 70 percent is tied up in glaciers and ice sheets, and 30 percent is groundwater, much of it beyond reach in deep aquifers.

6 What s left for the planet s 6.2 billion people? Less than.01 percent of Earth s water.

7 Water is scarce and threatened During the past century, the world population has tripled, and water use has increased six-fold Based on the most recent UN population projections nearly 7 billion in 60 countries will face water scarcity by 2050; Over the next two decades, population increases and growing demands are projected to push all the West Asian countries into water scarcity conditions; By the year 2025, it is estimated that nearly 230 million Africans will be facing water scarcity, and 460 million will live in water-stressed countries; The paradox of perceived plenty is paucity of attention

8 Issues Freshwater is not distributed evenly around the world and not in quantities needed where people are; The worlds population is surpassing 7 billion and water use grows exponentially with population growth [about 2X]; Climate change is effecting freshwater resources and is effecting the hydrologic cycle; Conflict over water is growing.

9 Middle east-jordan River; Africa-The Nile, Niger River, Lake Chad; Asia-Tibetan Plateau- Inus, Mekong, Ganges, Brahmaputra, Yellow, Yangtze; Just a few of the political hotspots WATER WARS

10 These issues are avoidable Water conservation; Equitable water pricing and distribution; Pollution and sewage treatment and control; Opportunities abound for innovative technology [e.g. the Slingshot ]; Preventing and controlling threats to availability of clean water; Invasive species are a threat to clean water availability and quality

11 Invasive species threat to freshwater Invasive species such as Arundo and Salt Cedar are water hogs and suck up water resources more than native plants.

12 Invasive animals stress available freshwater supplies through accelerated stream bank erosion and subsequent sedimentation; Invasive plants invade lakes and rivers and interfere with natural ecological processes and in some cases causing an increase in algae blooms. Nutria Water hyacinth

13 The range of invasive species is tracking northward in the northern hemisphere as small changes in the global climate benefit the adaptability of the ecosystem invaders Climate Change

14 WHAT TO DO?

15 Intersection of issues Climate change is real ask a Polar Bear; Invasive species are a major economic problem as well as an environmental and human health problem; Freshwater is the oil of the future

16 The environment and the economy are inextricably intertwined; The future belongs to the Green Economy and money is to be made and jobs created; Renewable energy technology skills and development, water conservation initiatives [e.g. invasive species control/eradication] and clean water initiatives are examples of a larger social and economic direction of our society.

17 Think beyond our ability to grasp We ve done this in the past; We need to challenge ourselves The best way for America to solve its big problemto get its groove back-is for us to take the lead in solving the world s big problems Tom Friedman, Hot Flat and Crowded.

18 Funding, strategic planning, organizational management and Due Diligence consulting services for NGO s, Philanthropists, Foundations, and Green Venture Capital. Contact information: