Posts Tagged ‘advocacy’
Every now and then the stars align and a man comes along with new ideas and a fresh perspective. For some people, that man is Barack Obama. For others, that man is Joe Wilson. For GreenLink Water Solutions, that man is John Tynan.
Tynan is running for the Greenville County Water Commission in November, and we believe that he has the knowledge, passion and vision to lead the Upstate in the right direction. Not only does Tynan understand the challenges we face, he also has the solutions needed to conserve and protect our water supply.
To learn more about Tynan’s take on the issues, visit www.tynanfortomorrow.com or read the following article as it originally appeared in The Greenville News.
What Individuals Can Do
1. Keep Storm Water Clean – Storm drains don’t go to a treatment plant; they discharge directly to the closest stream. Keep motor oil, pesticides and other toxic substances out of storm drains.
2. Minimize What You Fertilize – A “less is more” approach to fertilizers keeps nutrients out of our streams and builds a healthier lawn. Use only as much fertilizer as a soil test indicates you need.
3. Scoop the Poop – Pet waste left out in yards washes away when it rains, and it’s a major contributor to bacteria problems in local streams. Protect our streams by properly disposing of pet waste.
4. Let It Grow – Lakes and streams need natural vegetation along their banks to prevent erosion and protect fish habitat. Help streams stay clean and cool by letting vegetation grow.
5. Hold Back the Flood – Impervious surfaces—pavement, roofs and the like—all cause rain to run off rapidly, making floods more severe. Minimize runoff by creating a rain garden, capturing runoff in a rain barrel or cistern, or using pervious pavers.
Earlier this week I had the privilege of sitting down with three officials from South Carolina’s Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) and one representative from Upstate Forever, a local non-profit that promotes sustainable growth.
In attendance were Jim Brooks, Jim Gilliam and Roger Owens of the Greenville County DHEC office. Chris Starker, the Land Conservation Manager at Upstate Forever, was also on-hand to offer a local advocate’s perspective and to learn more about the Brac System.
The meeting was enlightening to say the least. We discussed South Carolina’s current gray water recycling regulations (or lack thereof) and had a frank discussion about the challenges our state faces when it comes to water conservation. We also talked about the benefits of action versus the consequences of inaction.
After the meeting, I started thinking about South Carolina’s role in the greater gray water discussion, and I decided to organize my thoughts the best way I know how: by writing a blog or two. Or three.
Starting next week, I will be expanding this post into a three-part series called “Gray Water Recycling in South Carolina: The Past, Present and Future.” So pull up a chair, grab a cup of coffee and be sure to add your two cents in the comments section.
Are you a fan of Paul Simon? Not the singer-songwriter, but the ex-senator from Illinois. If so, you may know that Simon was a huge advocate for water conservation during his time in the senate. He even wrote a book called Tapped Out: The Coming World Crisis In Water and What We Can Do About It.
In the book, Simon says, “Mention the water issue to key media people and they agree on its importance, but unfortunately they also agree there is not much public interest. Unless public interest is stirred, we will face serious crises and wars that could have been avoided.”
That’s right–wars. Along with the CIA, Simon predicts that serious conflicts will arise over water in the coming decades unless we address the issue now. Here’s what you can do. You can watch the video below. You can visit Water for the World. You can sign the petition.
You can even call me Al.
