XOWhat: Eye on Environment: Water

Water Surrounds Us

"What is most obvious, is most invisible."

We drive past it, play in it, wander around it, drink it, photograph it, try to protect it...that's life in Northwestern Ontario. Water everywhere.

Most of us take it for granted.

Lake Superior:

10% of the world's fresh water
3 quadrillion gallons of water
deepest point is 1265 feet (The Blue Heron Trough)
Population around the shores: 605,000
Lakehead University is one 12 centres and institutes dubbed "The Freshwater Research Capital of the World"
Every million in university based research is 35 to 45 jobs
According to the Michigan Technological University in Houghton, "Suddenly, Lake Superior has become the Saudi Arabia of water."
A recent discovery is that Lake Superior water is warming twice as fast as air temperature. "Almost everything depends on temperature - biological and chemical reactions. Some fish locate spawning where there is a fair amount of ice to protect from wave action. No ice: no protection," says Steve Colman.
Cornell University scientists said they recently detected the deadly VHS viral hemorrhagic septicemia, while testing fish in Lake Superior.
Source: Lake Superior Magazine February-March 2010 Vol 32 Issue 1

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Oral Tradition from Objibwa

Anishinaabekwe, the Daughters, TWO WORLDS:

You are the keepers of the water.

I am Nibi... water.. the sacred source,

the blood of Aki, Mother Earth,

the force filling dry seeds to great bursting.

I am the wombs cradle.

I purify. I am your grandchildren's drink.

Listen, Daughters, always.

You are the keepers of the water.

Hear my cry, for the springs flow darkly now

through the heart of Aki.

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by Christopher Hansard (ancient medicine knowledge)

the world, the earth

two planets

one of nature

one of man

two worlds in collision

soon we will need to choose

in which world

we shall live

look into your senses

and follow them to their end

and there you will find your place

the world is a hunger

so is the earth

the world is glamour

the earth is love

make your choice

know your peace

(Nov. 20th, 2009 from www.christopherhansard.com )

Let's think about... your leadership role for environmental sustainability. Are you keeping an eye on it?

What's your plan?

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