Vulnerable People and Places Blog

Source: Cheri Carlson/The Star I recently found this editorial and wanted to report and respond to the information that was presented. The editorial was essentially giving an update on the drought that is currently happening all over California. This editorial was specifically addressing Ventura County. The main message of the editorial was to conserve water to the last drop. As I read this, it began to make me sad because I am from California and to know that water is being saved to the last drop is very frightening. This does not even include places around the globe that never see a drop of water for months on end, or have to walk miles to retrieve it. This editorial also addresses the effects of climate change and how our government refuses to address the rising temperature of the planet. My overall response to this is we need to change our political policy before anything and also realize the communities that are at stake. Many of us are so much more fortunate than other commu...

Source: https://tech.co/what-makes-good-website-2018-08 When thinking about the best way of generating readership or buzz it is important to think of what constitutes a "good" website or blog. Through some researching around, I found out that there are a few aspects or guidelines that can help spread information better and get people talking. Aspects such as our purpose, our users, and what the cause means to our users. A great deal of the time, I find that with certain products whether it be tangible like a laptop or more abstract like a blog, it is important to know who our audience is. From that, we then ask within this audience what is the best way to achieve a response. In creating effective message design it must be personable, resonating, and memorable. By personable, I mean achieving a "friendly" yet professional relationship where they feel acknowledged but not talked down to. By resonating, I want our message to relate to the audience on an emotional le...

When trying to generate "buzz" or looking out organizations to back our cause, it is important to look for organizations that align specifically with our goal. Water.org is a fascinating group that, in my perspective, presents a good model for how our resources should be distributed and conserved. The main mission for this organization is to empower our world by making sure everyone has efficient access to one of the essential resources of our planet, water. Also for every sponsor this organization receives, they send out a special commemorative water glass that expresses the organization's gratitude for the support. Maybe through our blog we can issue some kind of incentive for increasing readership or buzz for example, refer one your friends to our blog to receive a free t-shirt. This is not the best example but some kind of incentive that is not money, something that will benefit both parties constructively. Reaching out to organizations such...

In 1910, one of the driest years to date, a fire raged across Idaho, Montana, Washington and parts of British Columbia, burning over 3,000,000 acres of timber, and killing 86 souls.  The fire was ignited by an electric storm and moved swiftly, within 6 hours most of the damage had already been done. This fire had wide reaching impacts, some of which we still feel today.  In 1910, the US Forest Service was still in its infancy, and some people thought it was a waste of government spending. The fire ignited support for the young agency, and ushered in a new era of fire prevention and fighting. Whereas before this fire, many thought that forests should be left to burn as nature saw fit, now the US Forest service sought to bring all fires to an end as soon as possible. Many wonder if this policy was create some of the conditions we now see today. Fighting fires requires an immense amount of water and resources, perhaps we should forgo bu...

      T he temperature was likely the highest I have experienced in my life--- "Jesus, what am I doing here?" is the only thing I could think as we drove closer to the small town, two hours Northeast of the powerful and glamorous Los Angeles. Upon arriving at the quiet little town ,  for a second I was transported in my day-dream to my home-town. The old architecture, the few and quiet people walking on the sidewalks; Gosh! The many, many fewer cars than any other city I have been in for the past 2 years! It all resembled the small third world country town where I was brought up. Still, the heat was unbearable, and the excitement of exploring a new and (until then) unknown landscape no longer stimulated my mood. I unpacked one or two items from the car, but, alas, my watch was showing 2:47 pm, and I had a photo session at  3:30 pm -- Don't get too comfy, Joe. I mumbled while witnessing my assistant and friend Joe sitting do...

There is significant water waste in California, much of which occurs outdoors. This waste often goes unreported because of the bureaucratic systems in place for water management. To facilitate easy reporting by citizens, CA has partnered with various conservation groups to create an online tool.  Using this website , anyone that sees a water issue can affect real change in how water is managed and conserved. Whether it's a leaking pipe or a broken fountain at a public park, savewater.ca.gov can facilitate repair and conservation. The group demonstrates the utility that the web can have for sharing awareness  and implementing necessary changes or updates.  This online accountability system was instigated by saveourwater.com , which is a conservation group located in California. The groups takes a multi-dimensional approach to awareness and education, including how-to's and behavioral recommendations for a conservationist lifestyle. SaveOurWater also sells conser...

While factual account and data can be compelling windows into alien conditions, for some of us it still leaves us feeling unconnected. Some people, like myself need a poetic window or artistic connection into the feeling of a time, condition or place. If you have this aforementioned disposition it is to you that I would like to recomend  John Steinbeck's To a God Unknown.  Although published in 1933 the novel deals specifically with California drought and its affect on a farmer who is not only heavily dependent upon the land but in strong relationship with it.  The novel follows  Joseph Wayne who moves to California to homestead. With his brothers he sets up a prosperous ranch. Then dire drought strikes and all the prosperity dries up with it bring Joseph Wayne to feel the pain of the land and his responsibility to it.  Rather than dealing with data or cold factual account we are given an emotional relationship to the experi...

Source Surface water is something that is very important when it comes to humans and the need for water in all 50 states, specifically California. California uses more total water than any other state in the United States, with 66.66% of their usable water coming from surface water. This surface water goes to things like agriculture irrigation and public supply. What is surface water you ask? Surface water is water comes from things like rivers, lakes and reservoirs. Water run off from rain as well as the melting of snow, are also included in the calculation of surface water. Things like climate change can really affect surface water. With increasing temperatures, comes less snow and in turn, less run off each year. With California getting a large majority of its usable water from surface water, a lack of snow runoff plays a large role in water scarcity. California water departments and the USGS have created a stream-gaging system that aims to keep trac...

For most Americans, having water or access to clean drinking water is far from a top priority or concern. In a time of modern technologies and ever increasing advancements, it's quite puzzling that we haven't made the same advancements when it comes to the water cycle. Self driving cars, ai, and modern medicine yet in most of the world the process of getting water is still somewhat primitive and has remained the same for generations. There may not be a way to solve all the issues of water scarcity presently, but there is technology we can use today to reduce water loss and make the process of getting water more efficient. It will take innovation, creative thinking, and the implementation of modern technology to combat this issue, but fortunately countries are already taking the first step. In Singapore, the water cycle has been updated with a smart system that utilizes sensors and data analytics, which provides feedback and allows for preventative management. Using this smart...

Access to clean water should be basic human right and it is for the majority of the population in many first-world-countries. However, this many not be the case for long. The idea of all sources of water running out in the US is pretty difficult to imagine, however, that is not the only way Americans could lose water rights. As draughts, wildfires and climate change continue creating serious depletions to current drinkable water another issue arises, affordability of water. Outside of ecological factors, water prices are set to increase due to failing water infrastructures. Shortly following WWII the United Stated implemented a vast series of water pipelines that carry a majority of clean drinking water. Almost 70 years later, those infrastructures are in serious need of repair. Currently 14 million households are unable to afford clean water but due to infrastructure repairs and serious water depletion that number is quickly going to increase. A study completed at Michigan St...

Source:  file:///Users/aaij/Desktop/WILDFIRE_BANNER2-01.png PART 1 Living in a state where there are record lows in water resources paired with record highs in wildfires poses a serious threat. You might be asking yourself, "How are Californian's fighting these fires?". Don't be alarmed, because there are other techniques Fire Departments use to tame these beasts.  1) Fire Retardant is used when Airplanes, or Helicopters drop gallons of this substance over the flames. The intensity of the flames is lowered causing a decrease in the spread of the fire, and this is accomplished by chemical reactions reducing flammability. 2) Back Fires is a term used to describe "fighting fire with fire". This technique is used to burn dry wood, or possible fuel for the fire that the flames haven't reached yet. This is done in a controlled setting, so when the wildfire reaches these dead areas it runs out of fuel ceasing to burn.  3) Fire Breaks are ...

Source:   https://www.researchnow.com/blog/ There are many circumstances that arise within societies, prompting classification as "sensitive".  Topics are considered "sensitive" due to the response they generate when discussed.  In the case which the blog is related to, it is water or lack of.  It is important for us as researchers to understand the personal connections to these "sensitive" topics and how we may best present information in a way that eliminates content to be interpreted wrongly.  "The definition of  a "sensitive" research topic is dependent on both context and cultural norms and values." (Gerber, 2001) Source:   https://ec.europa.eu/programmes/horizon2020/en/h2020-section/ethics As a researcher for the Ojai Valley Water Project, I have to keep in mind the effects of content development on the website and blog.  We have interviewed a number of persons' closely related to the water situation in O...

Resource:  http://lipulse.com/ One-third of the countries are still facing water shortages, but other countries and people with abundant water resources are still being ignorant about the fact that how much is done to preserve and ensure proper management of this invaluable and life giving resource. We are still very bad at managing freshwater resources, and in fact in that process we have created deserts and poisoned millions of hectares of land with salt and killed entire lakes. Moreover, the mismanagement of freshwater resource is also causing floods and droughts to some parts of the earth. Fresh water is a vital resource for the survival of our population. Less than 1% of the world's water is freshwater and available for us to consume. In places where clean water is scarce, overusing or wasting household water limits the availability of it for other communities to use for drinking, cleaning, cooking, or growing, which leads to disease, illness or agricultural scarcity/sta...

Source:   Iain the Indie Living in a location where droughts and dry land are common, it is important to stay prepared at all times for the possibility of a wildfire. Wildfires can start in remote wilderness, national parks, or even in your backyard. Especially in places where land is dry and water is scarce, wildfires are an awful surprise due to natural causes like lightening or unnatural causes from humans. Here are some examples of ways to stay prepared in the case of a wildfire near your home: Stay informed : Knowing the current weather conditions and events that could result in wildfires is a good way to be prepared for disaster. Tune into your local news station for the weather forecast. Some locations have text or call alert systems to help those in the community to stay on top of possible dangers.  Plan evacuation : This step is important for nearly every natural disaster, not just fires. If it comes to the point of evacuation, it is best to have a plan to...

Fire Burning Through an Ecosystem. Source As fires continue to rage in most of California, with the current Mendocino fire being the largest fire in California’s history, water is being used and abused. A lot of issues surrounding water arise during times of wildfires. While water issues, like supply, arise during fires, water quality issues continue post fires. A few different things are affected after a large wildfire including, watersheds, drinking water and ecosystems. Watersheds With a majority of southwestern United States receiving their freshwater from forested areas, wildfires directly affect watersheds. Wildfires push watersheds to the brink and can cause things like erosion and flooding. Depending on the amount of erosion and flooding, water quality can be vastly affected. Drinking Water When things like erosion and flooding happen to watersheds as talked about above, it makes it a lot harder for utility companies to treat water and maintain plants as mat...