The Water Resources Agency yesterday offered tips on how the public can conserve water, a resource that is becoming increasingly precious in Taiwan and the rest of the world.
In a water-saving campaign launched to observe World Water Day yesterday, the agency recommended an “SCD” strategy.
HELPFUL MNEMONIC?
The “S” stands for “save,” the agency said, recommending that people install faucets, shower heads, toilets and washing machines that are labeled as water-efficient.
The “C” stands for “check,” meaning that households should check regularly to make sure faucets and toilets do not leak.
“D” stands for “do,” meaning that the public should recycle water collected in dehumidifiers, air conditioners and reverse osmosis water filter systems by using it to clean floors, wash cars, flush toilets and water plants, for example.
DROP IN CONSUMPTION
The agency said these three measures would cut public water consumption by one-third. It would also mean a cut in carbon dioxide emissions, which would be good news for the nation’s polluted skies, the officials said.
The water agency launched its “SCD” campaign to raise public awareness of the value of the resource and to highlight the problem of water depletion around the globe because of climate change and overconsumption.
SHIHMEN RESERVOIR
The agency said water reserves in Taoyuan County’s Shihmen Reservoir fell to an alarming level earlier this year as a result of low rainfall and high temperatures.
Although rain brought by several cold fronts has since alleviated the problem, the public should be aware of the risk of water shortages.
Global climate change has led to altering meteorological conditions over the past several years, scientists say. Across the Taiwan Strait, parts of China are suffering droughts, with Henan Province experiencing its worst drought in 50 years since last year. Rainfall in Henan has fallen 90 percent year-on-year.
World Water Day was created by the UN Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. The goal of the annual event is to focus international attention on depleting sources of clean, safe drinking water worldwide.
Also See: Hebei suffers as Beijing sucks up water
A tropical depression in waters east of the Philippines could develop into a tropical storm as soon as today and bring rainfall as it approaches, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said yesterday, while issuing heat warnings for 14 cities and counties. Weather model simulations show that there are still considerable differences in the path that the tropical depression is projected to take. It might pass through the Bashi Channel to the South China Sea or turn northeast and move toward the sea south of Japan, CWA forecaster Yeh Chih-chun (葉致均) said, adding that the uncertainty of its movement is still high,
TAIWANESE INNOVATION: The ‘Seawool’ fabric generates about NT$200m a year, with the bulk of it sourced by clothing brands operating in Europe and the US Growing up on Taiwan’s west coast where mollusk farming is popular, Eddie Wang saw discarded oyster shells transformed from waste to function — a memory that inspired him to create a unique and environmentally friendly fabric called “Seawool.” Wang remembered that residents of his seaside hometown of Yunlin County used discarded oyster shells that littered the streets during the harvest as insulation for their homes. “They burned the shells and painted the residue on the walls. The houses then became warm in the winter and cool in the summer,” the 42-year-old said at his factory in Tainan. “So I was
THE TOUR: Pope Francis has gone on a 12-day visit to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Singapore. He was also invited to Taiwan The government yesterday welcomed Pope Francis to the Asia-Pacific region and said it would continue extending an invitation for him to visit Taiwan. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs made the remarks as Pope Francis began a 12-day tour of the Asia-Pacific on Monday. He is to travel about 33,000km by air to visit Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Singapore, and would arrive back in Rome on Friday next week. It would be the longest and most challenging trip of Francis’ 11-year papacy. The 87-year-old has had health issues over the past few years and now uses a wheelchair. The ministry said
Discounted 72-hour Taipei Metro passes are to be offered to China Airlines passengers until Feb. 28 next year, the airline announced today. China Airlines passengers may present their boarding pass for a discount of up to 34 percent when buying a Taipei Metro 72-hour unlimited travel pass. The offer is available to international travelers on international flights bound for Taipei. Within seven days of arrival, travelers can present their boarding pass, passport and proof of flight payment at an EZfly counter in Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport or Taoyuan MRT Taipei Main Station to obtain the discounted passes, the airline said. One 72-hour pass
RSS