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Natural Awakenings Dallas -Fort Worth Metroplex Edition

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October 2011 Publisher Letter

This month’s theme, Green Living on a Blue Planet, spotlights a topic dear to the hearts of Metroplex residents, and one critical to life on this planet—the availability of clean, fresh water. After making it through a near-record stretch of exceptionally dry, 100-plus degree days, we are ready for solutions.

We are still dealing with the vestiges of a summer that has brought parched ball fields and playgrounds, threats to infrastructure safety and dead lawns. The effects of wildfires in neighboring communities are compounded by similar drought conditions. We are all hungry for rain. I even promised my friends to dance in the rain when showers come; every hint of a sprinkle has me running outside.

In our feature article, “Water Water Everywhere… But Will There Be Enough?” Sandra Postel suggests some proven community solutions to this crisis. It’s clear that cities, towns and rural areas everywhere must move now to manage water supplies if we are to have enough water for present and future needs.

Like me, you probably feel that you do your part in conserving water. At our house, we have installed flow control valves on faucets and toilets and we use minimal water levels when doing laundry. Our family only runs the dishwasher when it’s full.

But wow, it’s eye-opening to learn of the volume of water used to produce our food and common household items. Have you ever considered the tonnage of water used to manufacture a computer, television or car that we replace every few years? That new pair of jeans costs 2,800 gallons of fresh water.

What about golf courses? They collectively cost U.S. citizens 3.1 billion gallons of water a day, and only a small percentage of it recycled wastewater. Reading the list reminded me how easy it is for us to take water for granted. Using a water calculator will help you check your own water footprint. I’ll bet that you too, will be shocked.

We do not have to completely live “off the grid,” as Daryl Hannah does at home in “Loving a Sustainable Life.” But there are many things we can do right where we are. The more we are aware of the impacts our daily practices have on the environment, the better we are able to contribute to the conservation of our precious God-given resources, including energy and water. Business owners will find Derek Markham’s  and Tajana Mesic’s punch lists for a green and profitable bottom line. I hope that you, too, are inspired to take the next step in sustainability and keep going.

In the field of complementary healthcare, Dr. Genie Fields, of the Thermography Centers, considers the vital importance of National Breast Health Awareness Month. I hope you enjoy this month’s issue and please consider our advertisers when you shop for green, healthy and sustainable living products and services; it is thanks to them that we are able to bring you this free resource each month. Tell them you saw it in Natural Awakenings.

Remember that healthy living is green and green living is healthy.

Blessings,

Bernice Butler, Publisher