President Clinton wasn’t the only notable attendee at the Annual Fisherman Ball. The Clinton Climate Initiative has worked to combat the adverse effects of global climate change with policy for sustainable solutions and economic development.

Honoree guests included Sting and Trudie Styler. Both Sting and Trudie Styler worked on spearheading the Rainforest Foundation in 1989. The Rainforest Foundation protects water and land of indigenous groups living in the rainforest.

Honorary guests at the Riverkeeper’s Annual Fisherman Ball were given the “Big Fish” award for their work on clean water advocacy across the world.

New Yorkers are proud of drinking water quality available straight from the tap. The work of the Riverkeeper Organization and distinguished individuals including President Bill Clinton will preserve the pristine water sources that keep New Yorkers refreshed.

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Social media is a tool to keep in touch with loved ones, establish connections with like-minded individuals, and a network to disseminate information.

WaterWideWeb uses social media outlets such as Facebook, Flickr, Twitter, and YouTube to present readers with information about domestic and international water management.

Facebook remains one of the most popular source of new and existing readers. Expanding our Facebook following is imperative to providing web users with accurate and timely information about the world’s water issues.

So, we’ve taken on a goal of reaching 450 more followers by May 1st. The goal is ambitious but with support from individuals who already log on to our Facebook page, it is totally feasible.

Find WaterWideWeb on Faceook here

Do you follow us on Facebook yet? If not, how did you first hear about WaterWideWeb?

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Underwater Forensics is Solving Sea Crimes

Our readers are important to us and we want to hear from you. What are your thoughts on the progress of WaterWideWeb? Are there particular topics that you would like us to cover in greater depth?

First, take a look at our website and get familiar with the layout. We organize published content in a way that makes interesting topics easy to find for readers.

On our website, you can read thoroughly researched articles on breakthroughs in water science, private sector efforts to reduce water consumption, and you can learn about socio-economic and political issues that revolve around shared water management.

Recently, we’ve published new content on water and design, home decor, and celebrities doing good in Hollywood for water charities.

Now, you’ve heard enough about us. It’s time that we’ve heard form you. Please take time to answer a few brief questions below so that we can publish the best content for our readers.

1.) How did you hear about WaterWideWeb?

2.) Do you have an article that peaked your interest more than others?

3.) Would you recommend WaterWideWeb to other friends and family?

4.) What topics do you want to read most on?

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Aboard the vessel were frozen fish and fish products. After a full investigation by the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Koo’s was found in violation of oil discharge practices using appropriate safety equipment, and a failure to keep accurate records of any and all oil discharge into the harbor.

After being found guilty, Koo’s is now on a 3-year probationary period and must pay a fine of $1 Million for violation of U.S. and International Laws Protecting Oceans.

“Koo’s is paying a just price for knowingly discharging oily waste into the ecologically sensitive harbor of Pago Pago.   This penalty will help restore and protect the environment of American Samoa,” said Assistant Attorney General Moreno, head of the Environment and Natural Resources Division of the Department of Justice.

However, only $250,000 of the $1 Million fine will be allocated toward restoration of coral reefs and the pollution clean up in Pago Pago Harbor, with the National Marine Sanctuary and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services each receiving $125,000 for restoring the ecological integrity of Pago Pago Harbor.

Only one quarter of the mandated fine that Koo’s has to pay is delegated toward actually righting their environmental wrong. Firstly, environmentalists have to ask, “Is $250,000 enough to fully restore Pago Pago Harbor of sustained damage?” Secondly, they need to ask “Where is the criminal fine of  $750,000( triple the amount of money paid to actually bring justice to Pago Pago Harbor) going?”

The case was prosecuted by Fredrick W. Yvette of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the District of Columbia, and by Ken Nelson of the Environmental Crimes Section of the Environment and Natural Resources Division of the Department of Justice.

Sadly, part of the grave inequity is a result of irreverence for international law on the part of Koo’s.  The fundamental injustice is also due to the lack of preparedness of the American justice system for responding to environmental crimes.

The area of underwater crimes, investigation, and prosecution is a new area of justice that Federal entities are swiftly trying to get a hold on. Modifying existing procedures and ensuring that adequate penalties suit crimes committed could take years.

In the meantime, environmentalists and seafood consumers can safely take Lady Justice by the hand and even up her scales a bit.

The high demand for imported commercial fisheries and fish products did not exist, then the supply and slipshod transport of products, would decrease respectively.

A $1 Million fine may not impose a profound financial impact on a commercial fishing company such as Koo’s, whose sales exceed many millions of dollars in exports. Hence, seeing justice prevail cannot be left in the hands of prosecutors, nor in the Environmental and Natural Resource Division of the Department of Justice.

Rather, consumers need to rethink their purchases of imported fish and fish products. Money talks. When commercial fish exporters notice that sales for their products sharply decrease , and that environmentalists are behind it, then there is a greater likelihood of adherence to international law to protect our oceans.

The world’s oceans and all their resources are at the mercy of buyers and sellers that are putting a price tag on precious resources. Be a responsible consumer and check the label of fish and fish products that you are purchasing.

Supporting domestic fishermen as opposed to fish imports can have a positive impact on local economic development and the environment. Lower the risk of oil spills, both those reported and those under reported, by shopping locally.

It takes an entire nation to see justice prevail. Save our oceans and consume seafood and fish products that don’t harm the very ecosystems that support them.

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According to looktothestars.org, the single is part of Knowles’ commitment to bring reliable clean water resources to communities in Uganda, Cameroon, and Rwanda.”Water is a necessity, it’s not a privilege,” said Knowles.

In partnership with the Coca-Cola Africa Foundation’s Replenish Africa Initiative (RAIN), proceeds from Kenya will provide clean drinking water, hygiene, and sanitation to communities where clean water is the difference between life and death.

Find Kenya at the Music for RAIN website. The single is available via donate to download, so the sky is the limit in terms of donations. The Coca-Cola Africa Foundation aims to raise approximately $10,000 for the Music for RAIN project, but Knowles supporters and water advocates can surely surpass this modest milestone.

Water is life for the body. Music is life for the soul. You might not be able to dig a well in Cameroon. But, you can always assist those who can. Download Kenya and donate to the Music for Rain project.

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Consider scuba diving in Florida for your next vacation. You can save money without scrimping on vacation must have’s like outdoor activities and culture.

The Florida Underwater Archaeological Preserves (FUAP) offers tourists and locals several great spots to scuba dive and take in beautiful underwater culture.

The FUAP protects underwater sites and marine heritage along the coastline of Florida. To date, FUAP has designated 11 sites or Museums in the Sea where divers can explore submerged ships and underwater heritage.

The various underwater museums in Florida’s Museums in the Sea are the locale of some of histories most fascinating battles and naval fleet wars.

The site of Urca de Lima is said to be the place where the alleged 1715 Spanish treasure fleet sank during a hurricane at Ft. Pierce. Surrounding every sunken ship, there is a deep tale or two as to the cargo of the vessel, and how she mysteriously sunk.

Lofthus is another site protected by FUAP. There, the vessel rests at the bottom of the sea after wrecking off Manalapan, FL in 1898.

According to FUAP, the Lofthus averted the attacks of cut-throat pirates by painting “trompe l’oeil”  gun ports. But alas, it wasn’t a bank of thievish pirates that let to the Lofthus’ demise. It sank from natural causes.

The San Pedro wreckage of the Museums in the Sea takes divers along a historical journey where a Spanish galleon of the 1733 Spanish Plate Fleet saw her last days in the Florida Keys near Islamorada.

All this and more awaits scuba divers and travelers who want to budget for a memorable yet cost-effective family vacation.

You don’t have to travel all seven seas or spend exorbitant amounts of money to enjoy a lone, group, or family vacation. Think fun, accessible, and easy on the wallet with scuba diving in Florida.

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BCB founder Enyonam Nanevie sent a warm message to attendees via streamline video from Togo. Nanevie said, “….we are linked by an invisible thread to one belief, one stance, that water means life. Water is sacred and worthy to be celebrated by the entire world, together on this day.”

Yesterday, Naneive announced that BCB installed its first solar energy water pump in Koussougba. BCB engages women in the process of educating local residents on proper health and sanitation practices that prevent contamination in communal water resources.

“Twelve hundred people in the village of Koussougba of Togo will not have constant access to clean running water. Let us join with the women, men, and children of Koussougba to joyfully celebrate their newly acquired access to clean water which will mean a better life for all,” encouraged Naneive.

A crucial facet of decreasing mortality from water-borne diseases is encouraging villagers to use latrines and hand washing stations. Quite literally, one hand washes the other when it comes to proper sanitation methods complementing the installation of a clean water source.

Access to clean drinking water is affecting the functionality of villages, communities, and countries across the world. Often, the amount of information on water shortages, mortality rates from water borne diseases, and expenses for clean water provision is overwhelming.

The average New Yorker may wonder to herself, “How can my decisions and contributions to water causes truly make a difference in the world?” Yesterday, BCB in solidarity with water organizations across the world demonstrated how commitment and great acts of kindness make a meaningful impact to communities across the world.

Recognizing the human right to water requires that every able-bodied individual advocate for clean water access for all people. Digging water wells and conducting training to remote communities on the ground may not be carried out by the average U.S. citizen. But, mobilizing resources to non-profits equipped to carry forth this mission can be.

Supporting organizations that represent the U.S.’s commitment to clean water provision is a feat that can be accomplished by all. Concerted effort to provide water for cities is not an impossible mission. It is one that can only be achieved in solidarity with organizations such as BCB.

Nanieve concluded saying, “I end with a dream flung to the stars and the universe that one day on our beloved earth, all human beings everywhere, will have access to clean, vital, sacred, life-sustaining water.”

World Water Day 2011 was ultimately a success as water organizations made the cause of clean water known. But what will follow the promises, pledges, and excitement followed by the events of March 22, 2011?

Will you commit to upholding the human right to water?

The photo above was uploaded to highlight the importance of clean water. WaterWideWeb is not directly promoting bottled water.

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For World Water Day 2011, WaterWideWeb is out landing interviews with New York City’s “Who’s Who”. WaterWideWeb is gathering information and testimonies from others concerned about global water shortages.

Tomorrow, come back to WaterWideWeb and read about the amazing connections made with leading organizations and donors to solve the biggest problem of the 21st century…water for cities.

In the meantime, WaterWideWeb wants to hear from you! What are your plans for World Water Day? Are you celebrating and if so how?

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Efficient water use starts at home. A previous article published by WaterWideWeb on 11 March 2011 discussed the Courtesy Flush Challenge. Readers were challenged to flush responsibly, and upgrade their toilets and other bathroom fixtures to save as much H20 as possible.

Fortunately, saving water doesn’t stop at the flush of a toilet. Washing laundry is a major use of water that some Americans can take for granted. So, how can clothes still get squeaky clean by using less water?

A dirty habit that some individuals or families may suffer from is poor planning before laundry day. Don’t wait until every clothing item that you own is completely soiled before popping it in the wash.

Bigger loads use more water to complete cycles while the clothes are washing. Several small loads will use less water and energy, while ensuring that everything will come out fresh and clean.

Large loads will take up large amounts of water to get clothes clean but loads of only 3 or 4 items wastes water as well.

Plan ahead. Make sure that every load that you’re putting into the washing machine is just right to wash. Effective planning is the key to efficiency.

After making sure that your wash is large enough but not so much that the machine will overflow, be careful that what you’re throwing into the wash really needs to be cleaned.

Of course, there are some clothing items that may be soiled from spilled coffee, a case of the clumsies, or a good old fashioned office food fight.

But if there isn’t a big embarrassing stain on your white shirt that you wore just once, hang it up and the next day it will be just like new. If ain’t dirty, don’t launder it!

Being a good steward of water resources doesn’t require international policies and air tight water bands. A series of small decisions to use water smarter can make the world of difference when it comes to saving natural resources. Wash the right way, and make sure all your clothes come out smelling fresh and clean.

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Celtic oral tradition and old Irish superstitions make several references to water. According to superstition, after a dead person is buried in the cemetery, he or she keeps watch until the next corpse enters the graveyard.

While the corpse is waiting, he or she must fetch water and bring it to those stuck in Purgatory, a place that was believed to host the dead until they were ready to enter heaven. Purgatory was thought to be a place of judgment, fiery and uncomfortable.

The corpse would have to make several trips to ensure that the dead in Purgatory had enough water. The need for water, even in most unholy circumstances, was important to the Irish.

The Irish also conceived of water as a mean of protection against evil spirits. If one was trying to escape the clutches of a ghost or evil spirit, swimming across a stream of running water would keep the spirit away.

Water had the power to keep ghosts and evil spirits away, but the appearance of a water wagtail at one’s house meant bad news. The meaning and use of water across cultures reveals fascinating differences and similarities between groups of people from around the world.

Populations of people may vary in physical appearance, custom, and identity, but there is one fundamental similarity amongst groups. Cultural traditions, both past and present, assign unique qualities to water. Some of these qualities are mystical in nature, others are less so.

But ancient Irish folklore saw water in several ways. Firstly, water was seen as a duty, a means of taking care of those who couldn’t care for themselves. Secondly, water was seen as a means of protection from the supernatural. Finally, a water wagtail brought bad luck!

Either way, Erin-g0-bragh! And Happy St. Patrick’s Day from WaterWideWeb!

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