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Author: falconuser

WHAT WE’RE READING: LET MY PEOPLE GO SURFING

 

In his long-awaited memoir, Yvon Chouinard – legendary climber, businessman, environmentalist, and founder of Patagonia, Inc. – shares the persistence and courage that have gone into being head of one of the most respected and environmentally responsible companies on earth. In Let My Poeple go Surfing, Chouinard tells the story of how the success of his company has forced him to invent a whole and balanced way of doing business. He takes a longer term view focused on real sustainability and in doing so he does away with conventional business paradigms where the goal is growth at any cost.

Patagonia, a fellow B Corp, is an example for the rest of the world with a dedication to the highest level of quality and the lowest amount of side-effects, environmentally and socially. The principles that drive Chouinard’s company are really his own. He focuses on quality, durability and doing more with less. He is a committed environmentalist and believes businesses should be responsible for the damage they do to the Earth.

Our favorite quote: How you climb a mountain is more important than reaching the top. 

Have a great weekend!

5 GROWING TRENDS IN WATER CONSERVATION

Facing growing challenges with freshwater availability due to drought and other factors, people throughout the world are focusing on new ideas for conserving water resources. Here are five trends that will play a significant factor in the future of water conservation in California and other regions.

Water Recycling

According to the 2012 United Nations World Water Development Report, 80 percent of the world’s wastewater is not collected or treated. However, recent severe freshwater shortages in some areas is driving governments to develop water recycling programs that produces water that is clean enough to drink.

Desalination
Although it is expensive and energy intensive, governments from San Diego to Dubai are investing billions of dollars in ocean water desalination. The introduction of membrane-based desalination has increased the affordability and decreased the energy requirements. As of 2013, Dubai was sourcing over 98% of its potable water supply from desalination.

Water Fines
California made headlines in 2014 when they started imposing expensive fines to people caught wasting water. Offenses like allowing landscape watering to flow into streets and hosing driveways were subject to fines. As water resources become more stressed due to the drought, more local governments are starting to impose fines to discourage water waste.

Efficient Irrigation Techniques
With farm irrigation amounting to about 70% of global freshwater use there is a lot of opportunity for farm water conservation. Irrigation systems that accurately measure usage with water flow meters can minimize overwatering which accounts for a significant amount of water waste in farm and golf courses alike.

Efficient Technology for Home and Business Conservation
New tools for saving water are constantly being introduced for consumers and businesses alike. There are High Efficiency Toilets, Waterfree Urinals and shower heads available to help owners and managers decrease water consumption and save money on water bills.

USBGC’S TOP 10 LEED LIST IS OUT

2015 is shaping up to be a crucial year for the sustainability movement, and that includes the Green Building industry. There are LEED projects in more than 150 countries and territories, representing every continent except for Antarctica. You can find LEED certified buildings in highly industrialized nations as well as in newly developing ones.

Emerging economics giants like China, India and Brazil are all ranked in the top five of this year’s list. It’s great to see such a growth of LEED overseas, despite many considering it too focused on American standards.This shows the U.S. Green Building Council’s commitment to expand and integrate other nations into the process.

WEEKEND LINKS AROUND THE WEB

 

Hooray for the Friday! We are sure to expect another hot summer weekend ahead of us, so if you catch yourself in the mood to run inside in search of the A.C here are a few links that will keep you occupied.

The L.A Times is hitting it out of the ballpark with the drought coverage. See what happens when two journalists and one dog take a road trip through California.

#DroughtShamming takes a whole new level.

Still on the drought topic, here are 11 things you should know about it.

Have you considered taking the B Corp assessment? If you haven’t heard of it or the idea just hasn’t crossed your mind, this will clarify a few things.

 

Until Monday, folks!

 

 

HOW ABOUT THOSE AVOCADOS

 

We’re pretty sure most Americans will find any excuse to add avocado to their meal. Be it an avocado toast with a fried egg for breakfast, or a hamburger topped with guacamole. Let’s not leave out all the Happy Hours enjoyed at our neighborhood Mexican cantina alongside chips and guac. But did you know that to make just one little sliver of avocado it requires 4.1 gallons of water?

AVOCADOPART2

Not that our avocado trees are producing anything other than a full fruit (yes, it is considered a fruit) However, it is good to have in mind how much water goes into the crop before tossing that extra sliver into the trash.

Be mindful. Save Water.

WILL LOW WATER USE REFLECT HIGHER RATES?

 

With many meeting statewide reduction goals and cutting their water use by more than 25 percent, water districts are looking to raise water prices up to 18% over the next 5 years in a bid to expand repairs of crumbling water mains and electricity infrastructure. Since water agencies rely of a certain amount to maintain infrastructure and customer service, the State Water Resource Control Board has opened discussion this week to investigate a way to keep water use low, but also help districts with budget issues. Water scarcity and the need to support these organizations are both teaming up to drive up prices.

Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) users could potentially see their rates increase 2.4 percent to 5.4 percent annually for five years under a proposal released this Wednesday. In order to keep up with rising power and water costs, LADWP would need to bring up more income – resulting in higher water rates.

This is just the start of the extensive conversation in regards to rates and water usage. This dialogue will need to involve different parties, including customers and feedback from the community. Nonetheless, the scenario is changing and we will have to adapt as it does.

What are your thoughts on this and do you see any immediate solution to the water district income issue?

Beverly Hills Increases Rebate to $500 for Waterless Urinals

In light of the severe drought in California and the need for Beverly Hills to reduce water consumption by 35%, the City of Beverly Hills has increased the amount of money that city businesses can receive for the purchase and installation of waterless serials from $200 to $500. In most cases, the $500 covers the entire cost of a water free urinal, which leads to not only immediate water savings but also immediate savings on the monthly water bill with zero cost to recoup.  Read the full article here.

CA REACHED GOV JERRY BROWN’S WATER TARGET

New numbers, released this Wednesday, show that the state’s ambitious conservation campaign is working, with statewide residential water use declining 28.9 percent in May from its baseline 2013 levels. The figures surpassed Brown’s order in April to cut water use statewide by 25 percent.

This is great news, and we know that motivation, simplicity, through easy-to-remember tips and “triggers,” reminding people have gone a long way! There is still a lot we can do in other areas, such as in commercial buildings. Let’s take a look at how much is used where in urban areas.

 

Knowing the facts and motivating change will get us on track and help us continue to strive for better water conservation technology.

Hope you have a great weekend!

WE ARE PROUD TO ANNOUNCE

It is with pleasure that we announce we have closed a deal to acquire Enswico Group’s global operations, an industry leader in water conservation products. This acquisition continues our strategic goal to be the leader in providing the most comprehensive water conservation technologies. Falcon’s existing technology has saved an estimated total of 20 billion gallons / 75 billion liters of water over the last ten years.

“The Enswico team is world class and is passionate about the same thing we are—creating the highest caliber water conservation technologies for the commercial restroom,” stated Simon A. Davis, our President and CEO. “By leveraging the strengths of a combined team, we are now able to offer the most comprehensive water technology solutions globally. “We found the perfect match with this deal. The power of Falcon combined with Swiss Environmental Technology (SET) will create many innovative synergies,” said Dr. Michael Wächter, General Manager of Falcon Europe.

We are happy to be taking this step forward and will be sharing more updates in the future. Read more about the acquisition here.