The shutoff of water to thousands of Detroit residents, the proposed privatization of the water system, and the diversion of the system's revenue to banks are possible, writes Pete Dolak, because water - the most basic human need - has become a means to extract profit from the City's people.
… Detroit: what happens when water is a commodity, not a human right Pete Dolack | 19th August 2013 Comment USA Water Economics Finance … dwb-shu-on-megaphone-cut.jpg The Detroit Water Brigade crew help out. Photo: Meeko A. …
Greening your home can save you energy and money as well as making it healthier and lowering its carbon footprint
… proofing around doors and window frames Hot water tank and pipe insulation Double glazing … to your home here . Heating and hot water Fitting an A-rated high efficiency … of the wind to generate electricity. Solar water heating - heat water for your home using …
Forget the chemical depths of your local swimming pool: wild swimming is the more refreshing, natural way to cool off this summer
… Lake Sea Environment Agency Blueprint For Water loch2.jpg Enjoying the great outdoors … so on - nothing beats a cool dip in natural water surrounded by beach or grassy banks and … Whether it's long lakes, downstream rivers, waterfalls or the sea, there are lots of …
Eco detergent or washing at 30°C? Laura Sevier cuts through the greenwash at the laundry level
… make it appear, however: ‘If you ask water authorities today, they’re no longer … waste – they get a far bigger headache from water running off farmland contaminated by … used when washing clothes goes on heating the water. In this sense, Ariel’s ‘Turn to 30°C’ …
OceanaGold is demanding $300 million in compensation from impoverished El Salvador after a mining permit was refused to safeguard a clean drinking water source that millions of people depend on, writes Pete Dolack. The sum does not even represent losses - but profits the company claims it would have made.
… $300 million attack on El Salvador's water Pete Dolack | 5th October 2014 News … was refused to safeguard a clean drinking water source that millions of people depend … to the right of El Salvador to clean drinking water - and an unappealable World Bank secret …
Following the closure of some of the UK's most stunning lakes, a dynamic campaign has been set up to stop phosphates from washing detergents causing algal blooms
… North Swim in Cumbria is the largest open-water swimming event in the UK. This year, … of blue-green algae (Cyanobacteria) in the water the swim had to be cancelled. A few … earlier signs were put up at nearby Derwentwater to warn visitors about the presence of …
The latest country to be hooked under 'free trade' agreements is Colombia, writes Pete Dolack, sued for tens of billions of dollars by US and Canadian gold mining companies for valuing its national parks and the high-altitude Andean wetlands that provide 70% of the nation's water above the profits of foreign corporations. Free trade or clean water? You can't have both.
… Colombia: there's no place for clean water under 'free trade' Pete Dolack | 14th … 2016 News Colombia Mining Trade US Canada Water Conservation Corporations … wetlands that provide 70% of the nation's water above the profits of foreign …
Laundry giant Unilever's new plan for creating a 'Cleaner Planet' seems to tick all the right boxes. Until, that is, you look at what gets washed down the drained after your undies are rinsed through...
… has been making some efforts in the energy, water and waste department for some time. … cent, waste for disposal by 70 per cent and water consumption by 76 per cent, per tonne of … that place a considerable burden on our water system. When all that foamy water mixed …
Donald Trump's scheme to rebuild US infrastructure could be among the world's greatest ever financial heists, writes Pete Dolack. He has chosen the most expensive, anti-democratic way to do the job, through the mass privatization of priceless public assets - sticking users and taxpayers for exorbitant charges for decades to come, while banks and speculators reap the profits.
… News Finance Politics USA UK Germany France Water goldman-sachs-cut.jpg Donald Trump's … actors into rebuilding Flint, Michigan's water system, for example, is to give them a … private providers (such as building lead-free water pipes in Flint, MI)? "If we assume tax …
With vast areas decimated by industrial farming, the salad days are over for mass-produced olive oil. Laura Sevier looks at the effect its rise in popularity has had on the European landscape, and at some more sustainable brands.
… hazard (with negative impacts on the soil, water supply and wildlife), and when it comes … groves with few or no agrochemicals, less water and less machinery. Olives are picked … run-off of soils and agrochemicals into water bodies.’ ‘Anywhere in the main …
Clean the most difficult places in a natural,
eco-friendly way. Laura Sevier explains how
… effective cleaning power, the very hot water used in steamcleaning machines kills … bacteria and mould. • For stains, use soda water or make a spot-cleaning solution of ½ cup borax in 1 litre of warm water. Scrub with a stiff bristle brush; …
It's easy to dismiss 'detox' as a fad, as some product claims are exaggerated. But detoxing, as a practice, has been around for centuries
… Living Ecologist Guide To Detox glass-of-water.jpg It's easy to dismiss 'detox' as a … including a detox brush from Boots, V Water Detox and a 'Crystal Spring Detox patch' … message is: drop 'detox' and have a glass of water, eat a balanced diet and get an early …
It's easy to dismiss 'detox' as a fad, as some product claims are exaggerated. But detoxing, as a practice, has been around for centuries.
… Alliance For Natural Health glass-of-water.jpg It's easy to dismiss 'detox' as a … including a detox brush from Boots, V Water Detox and a 'Crystal Spring Detox patch' … message is: drop 'detox' and have a glass of water, eat a balanced diet and get an early …
Of all the impacts of climate change, one stands out for its inexorable menace, writes Pete Dolack: rising oceans. And it's not just for distant future generations to deal with: new scientific studies show that people alive today may face 6-9 metres of sea level rise flooding well over a million sq.km including many of the world's biggest cities. So where's the emergency response?
… that may have been under-appreciated is meltwater. Melting ice sheets, especially in … effects might not be simply the additional water added to the oceans. In this scenario, the melted freshwater will additionally increase warming, …
Alaska's long-standing wild salmon-fishing industry could be under threat from large-scale mining development
… open pit gold and copper mine at their headwaters. As Jay Hammond, former Governor of … salmon fishery in the world, at the headwaters of the Kvichak and the Nushagak Rivers … abundance of pristine and undeveloped freshwater lakes, which are ideal spawning and …
Ecover has developed the world's first ‘eco surfactant' - the beating heart of a cleaning product - that it claims is 'more ecological and powerful' than their old formulations...
… 'eco' products cut down on chemicals in our water systems that can be highly toxic to … have an environmental impact. They require water to neutralise their impact on the water supply, energy for the manufacturing …
Whether it's the old favourite Sarson's, trendy balsamic or the more adventurous rice or wine vinegar, it can be used to clean your house, improve your health and spice up your chips – what makes vinegar so special? Laura Sevier picks 10 of the best...
… and removes mineral buildup such as hard water spots. For cleaning purposes, white … distilled vinegar is best. Use two parts water to one part vinegar for general … windows by mixing equal amounts of water and distilled vinegar in a spray bottle. …
In this new age of austerity money is a perpetual struggle for the public sector and ordinary people, writes Pete Dolack. Yet central banks have squandered trillions to boost profits in the financial sector, reward speculation and push up real estate values. In fact, the world is awash with money as never before - our money. Just don't expect to get your hands on it any time soon.
… billion. The foreseeable cost of maintaining water systems in the coming decades in the US is estimated at $1 trillion. The American Water Works Association arrives at this total by assuming each of 240,000 water main breaks per year would require the …
Monsanto has a simple purpose, writes Pete Dolack: to control the world's food supply, monopolizing seeds and agrochemicals to extract profit from every bite of food we eat. Caring nothing for the disease, poverty and destruction that it causes, it has suborned politicians, governments and regulators to its will. But millions are determined to stop it.
… traces in breast milk of feeding mothers, the water supply and even urine of people who have … will accelerate if Monsanto gets its way. Water down laws, then dilute some more 'Free … process of European harmonization has already watered down regulations. In its position …
Say sayonara to your standard tea and try a cup of one of the Ecologist’s 10 favourite Fairtrade and organic teas. Laura Sevier puts the kettle on
… tea is sprayed with chemicals that affect waterways and wildlife and the finished … one teaspoon in a glass with some hot water makes for a refreshing brew and gives … damaging industrial monoculture INVESTIGATION Water, water everywhere? You’ve heard of …
A cleaner, greener, more ethical approach to outdoor gear, Finisterre swept into UK shops on a surfing brainwave. Laura Sevier meets the team behind the eco-active clothing company
… – but the gear they’re putting on out of the water is expensive, non-durable and not … environmental impact. Finisterre’s line of waterproofs, jackets, hoodies and sweatshirts … fashion Making eco-clothing for cold-water surfers and other outdoor enthusiasts …
More people are turning to eco communities as a viable alternative to urban life. Laura Sevier reports
… technologies for heating, electrical and water systems. Sharing cookers, cars, tools … those that will be needed to navigate rough waters ahead.’ While some new ecovillages are … know as the Living Machine, numerous solar water-heating systems and is now looking into …
A growing number of homeowners are taking the green initiative. Laura Sevier reports
… improvements to the radiators and boiler‚ water-conservation devices (the house uses 60 per cent less water than an average family home)‚ A-rated … “non-eco”. That £5‚000 has reduced energy and water consumption by two-thirds‚ and we’ve …