Community labor creates an oasis in the Ethiopian desert
Moving mountains is not just a biblical image when political will is present and the community rallies around a common goal. Some 20 years after a severe drought and political turmoil caused a devastating famine that claimed more than a million victims in Ethiopia, a village has successfully Read More...
Lima’s engineering students show off creativity in water-harvesting billboard
In Peru, farms struggle with polluted soil and water that leaches heavy metals like lead and arsenic into vegetables. Hydroponics with filtered water is one answer. UTEC, Lima's University of Engineering and Technology, went to work. It put up a billboard that collects and purifies water from the Read More...
The sharing economy inspires a new water conservation model in California
California is well into its fourth consecutive year of drought. Governor Jerry Brown called for the state's first mandatory water restrictions just last week, while acknowledging that "there's been fairly inadequate conservation so far.” Groundwater management regulation, which came into effect Read More...
Pure water available instantly, anywhere
Imagine pulling out your water bottle and filling it up at whatever stream, pond or faucet you happen to find, then drinking it straight up without worrying one bit about your health. The miracle of instant safe water is now brought to you by Naked Filter, a technology that combines carbon elements Read More...
Blue Energy: A potential source of renewable energy
What do you get when saltwater and fresh water meet? A clean, renewable source of power called blue energy. Diane Daniel | March 2009 issue The blades stutter a bit at first, but after a couple of halting starts, the tiny propeller on the miniature windmill is soon turning at top speed. The fuel: Read More...
Interview with Gretchen Wallace, founder of Global Grassroots
While economic upheaval has caused many businesses to fail, Ode has interviewed several entrepreneurs who have found ways to thrive and remain focused on positive social change. We interviewed them about their companies, how they view the current economic situation, how they define success, and how Read More...
Water, water everywhere
New technology lowers the cost of making salt water drinkable Tijn Touber | April 2006 issue It sounds strange, but even with 70 percent of the Earth’s surface covered by water, our blue planet is in the grip of a drinking-water shortage. The reason: only 2.5 percent of all that water is fresh, Read More...
What we know can't hurt us
Why the world needs the right data. Amy Domini | September 2007 issue The Massachusetts shore has lured visitors and new residents to its fabled beaches and healthy lifestyle for generations. There you find bicyclists along the paths, older folks practising tai chi on the village squares and strong Read More...
Water loves Mozart
Japan's Masaru Emoto demonstrates that sounds, words and even thoughts appear to have an effect on water.Tijn Touber | November 2003 issue Water has a memory and is influenced by its environment, contends Japan’s Masaru Emoto in his book ‘The Message From Water’. In the book he describes Read More...