How to play the world’s water shortage.
Investors can follow the lead from Dr Michael Burray, the GFC-predicting protagonist from Michael Lewis’s The Big Short, and invest in one of the world’s most urgent themes: water.
In China, 80 per cent of rivers are too toxic for fish; in the United States, Californian authorities spend about $US20 billion annually on their water supply and here in Australia, there is $30 billion water trading market, thanks to agricultural reforms in the mid-2000’s.
Share on Facebook SHARE Share on Twitter TWEET Link Water scarcity is proving a lucrative global theme, combining a demographic trend with the threat of climate change.
$US7.5 trillion ($10.1 trillion) is the projected global spend in water infrastructure over the next 15 years, according to the World Economic Forum, and as international regulation is tightened, $US300 billion is slated to address water pollution by China’s Water 10 plan.
"And businesses are focused on things from smart irrigation to maintaining drinking quality to water distribution efficiency and huge dam engineering projects, mean there are hundreds of entry points for investors."
Ways to invest Impax has invested $2.9 billion into around 40 water global water stocks, largely focused on infrastructure and water utility plays, and since the fund’s inception in 2009 has returned 13.4 per cent to shareholders.
Mr Simms points to the likes of French multinational SUEZ, American Danahar Corporation and Swiss Georg Fischer as large and diversified firms capitalising on the voracious demand for water infrastructure and new technologies.
Brisbane-based Blue Sky Alternative Investment fund has $2.7 billion under management and actively trades water rights in the Murray Darling.
"Anything that looks to contribute solutions to China’s extremely serious water issues is likely to receive investor interest," says Tom King, chief investment officer of Nanuk Asset Management.

Sea Turtle Advocates Explain How to Help Turtles in Need.
She shared the stories and conditions of sea turtles too far gone to save in rehabilitation.
Several people attended because they said they feel protective of the environment.
She said she felt inspired by the park system’s drop-in talks.
“It makes you more aware of the wild nature right here on our doorstep.” George Unuch said it was helpful to inform people about sea turtle protection.
“A lot of people go to Sandy Hook and would not know what to do,” he said, referring to what people should do if they found them.
Due to the Northeast’s common issue of overcrowded marine life facilities, Biehl and fellow co-executive officer Bill Deerr requested a permit to create their own long-term care facility in New Jersey.
Eventually, the group found refuge at the Turtle Back Zoo in West Orange, New Jersey in 2016.
This location provided STR with a million-dollar facility that prioritizes rehabilitation for sick and injured sea turtles.
The team encouraged residents to come out and visit STR’s facility at the Essex County Turtle Back Zoo, as well as follow its Facebook page, Sea Turtle Recovery.

Explore Physical Change, Water Pollution, and more!.
In a quest to satisfy the need of energy sources to power domestic economies, Asian countries are trying to "grab water" in the world famous Himalaya mountain range.
The CDC is more concerned about the loss of life due to the H7N9 virus that’s currently spreading.
Read my latest article for more: http://georgezapo.com/global-healthy-habits/h10n8-claims-life-in-china This blog is from a student affairs professional who works in multicultural affairs.
He talks about how to work with graduates and new professionals of color.
One thing I found most important is for the supervisor to be vulnerable, for "when we are insecure about our own identities (Palmer, 2000, p. 86) we oppress others.
France leads the way by being the first country to initiate a widespread ban on plastic dishware.
This is the country’s most recent effort to reduce pollution and be more environmental friendly.
France will ban the sales of single-use plastic plates and cups unless the products are made of bio-sourced materials that can be composted in a domestic composting unit.
France Initiates Ban on Plastic Dishware The Europe Ecologie-Greens Party initially proposed the ban.

Trump budget threatens Lake Erie Nonpoint Source Grants for water pollution.
CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Trump administration’s proposal to eliminate a Great Lakes restoration program has caused the biggest stir, but a second federal program that funds Lake Erie projects also would be killed under terms of the budget request.
The Nonpoint Source Grant program provides funding to states to help them deal with water pollutants, such as algae-feeding phosphorus and stormwater runoff, from sources not regulated under the Clean Water Act.
Kristy Meyer, the managing director of Natural Resources at the Ohio Environmental Council, said she supports the Congressional delegation’s fight on behalf of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, but not at the expense of the Nonpoint Source Grant program.
"We need funding for both."
Since 2001, the Ohio EPA has awarded more than $56 million worth of Nonpoint Source grants to fund 256 projects in the state, said EPA spokeswoman Heidi Griesmer.
The state EPA, which oversees the federal program, has awarded nearly $15 million for 77 projects in Northeast Ohio watersheds, including the Cuyahoga, Chagrin, Rocky, and Black rivers, and the Doan Brook, Griesmer said.
This year, the agency plans to award $1.8 million to 11 watershed projects in Northeast Ohio that will receive an additional $1.2 million in local matching funds.
Appropriations committees in both houses will "mark-up" the bills for a vote by the full House and Senate.
Just The Facts The Trump Administration’s budget proposal would kill these Lake Erie protection, restoration and educational programs: The $300 million Great Lakes Restoration Initiative; The $165 million Nonpoint Source Grant program; The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s toxic algal bloom forecasting and tracking system, and its Sea Grant Program, which funds the Ohio State Stone Lab on Lake Erie.

New Delhi, May 28 The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has classified microbeads as "unsafe" for use in cosmetic products, the government has informed the National Green Tribunal.
The submission was made in response to a plea filed by Delhi-based lawyer Ashwini Kumar seeking complete ban on the use of microbeads in the manufacture, import and sale of various cosmetics or personal care products.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare told a bench headed by Justice Jawad Rahim that BIS has published a document on May 16 "Classification for cosmetic raw materials and adjuncts, Part 2: List of raw materials generally not recognised as safe for use in cosmetics" by incorporating non-biodegradable polymeric microbeads in the banned list.
"It is submitted that this draft notification was not published by the Ministry of Health but was issued by a different department that is BIS.
After this information, the affidavit containing the draft notification was placed before the Drug Controller General of India for approval," an affidavit by the Health Ministry said.
Kumar has claimed that microbeads escape the filtration and treatment processes for waste water and end up in rivers, which ultimately lead to ocean where they contribute to the huge chunk of "plastic soup" in the environment.
The Ministry also told the bench that the last date for inviting comments on the draft notification is July 15 and the grievances of the applicant would be addressed by the publication of the document.
Advocate Sumeer Sodhi, appearing for the petitioner, said that voluntary step by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to ban microbeads in cosmetics would be a monumental step towards reducing water pollution.
The NGT had earlier directed the Centre to test cosmetic products containing microbeads after a plea sought ban on their use on the ground they are extremely dangerous for aquatic life and environment.
It had said that it is the duty of the government to ensure that no "dangerous" product is allowed to be manufactured or sold to public and directed the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation to analyse the products in a laboratory and submit a report in four weeks.

White Center resident Sophorn Sim, a sustainability superhero.
Sophorn Sim believes in the power of learning by example – so much so that she’s willing to bring people into her home — if that helps them better understand sustainability.
In fact, she was awarded the 2017 Sustainability Hero Award by Sustainable Seattle.
“It was very nice to see the work I do get recognized.” Sim has served as an environmental educator with the Environmental Coalition of South Seattle for seven years now.
She explained that her career has always focused on assisting refugees and immigrants – but in the past, she worked to connect them with medical assistance and job skills.
It’s really important to work with them and educate them.” Sim said that by eliminating chemicals from their homes and gardens, residents not only protect the water but also create healthier environments in their homes.
Everyone has to take responsibility.” As part of her work with the Environmental Coalition of South Seattle, Sim provides free spill kits to businesses and brings new immigrants on tours of the area’s watershed.
Ruben Chi Bertoni, community outreach associate, said Sim plays a vital role in the company’s mission of educating businesses and individuals in diverse communities about environmentally sustainable practices.
“We want people to take action,” he said.
We go to their house and tailor actions they can take to prevent water pollution on their property.” Environmental Coalition of South Seattle staff will start conducting home visits in June.

A BUFFALO ranch in Kampung Sungai Kembung, Kajang, is feeling the heat from authorities and villagers for allegedly discharging livestock sewage into the Beranang River.
But after a second round of tests, Luas senior assistant director Nor Zamri Sondor confirmed the current levels of ammonia flowing from the pond had been diluted and would not affect water quality.
Alerted to the post by Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry (KeTTHA), StarMetro visited the area and found two vegetable farms as well as a sand-mining operation in the same area as the buffalo farm.
But since June 2016, it has issued no less than five notices to the buffalo ranch.
This illegal dumpsite was found along the bank of Beranang River.
Though authorities assured him water from the Beranang River was safe, he was still hopeful something could be done about the dung smell emanating from the ranch.
“The buffalo farm workers take the buffaloes out to graze.
Farm co-owner Datuk Abdul Astiaq Khan, who met StarMetro at the site, said the farm hoped to rectify the livestock effluent problem within two months.
“The ranch houses up to 1,200 buffaloes now and have been operating without a hitch for the past 18 years.
If the farm owner does not comply with Luas’ order to stop the release of effluents into the river, it will face legal action.

Fish and Boat Commission moves to protect local hatcheries from New Zealand mudsnails.
Centre County’s Spring Creek is a “destination stream,” attracting anglers from all over the United States.
The mudsnails were likely — although unknowingly — introduced into Spring Creek by an angler who had been fishing in a western state.
However, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission is taking steps to make sure that mudsnails do not get into their fish hatcheries and potentially spread across the state with stockings.
Three Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission fish hatcheries are located in the Spring Creek watershed — Bellefonte, Benner Spring and Pleasant Gap.
“It is a low-voltage, low-wattage barrier that the mudsnails will not cross,” Niewinski said.
“We want to keep the New Zealand mudsnail out of our fish hatcheries, because from there they could potentially be spread all across the state.
Fish-for-Free Days allow anyone, resident of non-resident, to fish in Pennsylvania waters without a fishing license.
On June 11, area residents will have two opportunities, not only to fish for free, but to get help and/or be able to borrow fishing equipment.
Later the same day, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission will hold a Family Fishing Festival at Bald Eagle State Park at Pavilions 6 and 7 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

See Also: Chemical found in wells that supply Chincoteague drinking water Chincoteague and NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility, which lies across the bay from the island community, had partnered on a unique project, West said.
So, they worked out an arrangement to allow Chincoteague to connect a pipe to Wallops’ water system.
Supplementing the town’s water supply was simply a matter of turning a valve, West said.
Once the shallow well was turned off and the pipe was flushed, the chemical could no longer be detected in the deeper pipe’s water.
The potential health effects of human exposure to the compounds are not fully understood, but the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued health advisory limits for them last year.
Tests of individual wells detected PFAS in one of four deep wells and three shallow ones.
In two of the shallow wells and the deep well, it was detected at a level above the health advisory, according to a NASA statement.
The town then began using only the three deep wells where no PFAS chemicals were found to produce drinking water.
Recent samples taken from shallow wells on the south side of the base, however, showed "very low" levels of PFAS-related compounds.
But until now, everything has been done in a step-wise, careful fashion.” Despite the scrutiny of PFAS at Wallops, it’s unlikely that officials will ever find out how long Chincoteague’s drinking water had contained trace amounts of the chemical, Matson added.

Eagle Scout helps Virginia Beach mark storm drains as reminders of watershed.
Ryan Seabrook hopes other Scouts will follow in his footsteps, and assist Virginia Beach with the Storm Drain Marker program.
Ryan, a member of Boy Scout Troop 12, went even further.
The Salem High School senior is the son of the Rev.
He has volunteered for community events, including the Virginia Wesleyan College Thanksgiving food drive, Clean the Bay Day, and Toys for Tots.
“When people hear music and see creative art, it makes them feel better from the inside out,” he said.
The following high schools earned the 2017 National Gold Council of Excellence Award for the National Association of Student Councils: Bayside, First Colonial, Kellam, Cox, Green Run, Kempsville, Ocean Lakes, Princess Anne, Salem, and Tallwood.
The award recognizes high school Student Cooperative Associations for records of leadership, service, and activities that improve the school and community, such as food drives, school spirit events and charity fundraisers.
The program recognizes kindergarten through grade 12 teachers who teach economics and personal finance Standards of Learning.
Bishop Sullivan Catholic High School students achieved fifth place out of 25 regional championship teams, and second in the science expert briefing element at the National Ocean Science Bowl competition in Oregon on April 20-23.