Climate Live: Ana Neves
in response to schools
in response to schools
The conference “Climate Live: Water” happened at 15th April in Clara de Resende High School, in Porto, and was participated, through live streaming transmission, by dozens of schools all over Portugal. During the conference break, we registered several questions to be put to the speakers, after their interventions. Ana Neves was one of the speakers and talked with the students present there about the hydric efficiency of the buildings.
Here are the answers to the questions posed by the “junior journalists” of the schools participating in the conference:
Here are the answers to the questions posed by the “junior journalists” of the schools participating in the conference:
High School Dr. Joaquim Gomes Ferreira Alves (Vila Nova de Gaia): Which are the best ways to save water in the schools?
First, I believe that ne should start to sensitize colleagues, teachers and school workers to save this resource, mainly if the school may invest in new sanitary equipment. To decrease the volume of the toilet flush, putting a bottle of water inside it is, for instance, something that may be suggested to the school maintenance team. To verify if the tap is not open or the flush dripping, after its use. Do not open the tap in the maximum volume. When you detect a water leakage, advise immediately a school worker. These are simple examples, in fact, rules of common sense, that don’t imply the acquisition of new equipment with lower consumption.
Inter-school group of Vendas Novas: Which is the possibility to use salt water in flush toilets?
I believe it is a very remote possibility in our country.
Professional School Profitecla (Braga): Is it necessary some special treatment for the reuse of grey waters?
It is always necessary treatment for its reuse, although its complexity depends on the way we intend to use this water. There are different kind of technologies to do so.
Middle School Paços de Brandão: Nowadays, why is it not mandatory to use water reuse projects when building new houses?
Because it is still a very expensive technology, especially if we are talking about single-family houses, where often saving water does not compensate economically.
High School Castêlo da Maia: What is the approximate cost of installing a water reuse system in a dwelling?
It depends a great deal on the daily volumes that are intended to be treated and the type of treatment sought, which also depends on the intended use of this water. But it will always be thousands of euros, and one can not ignore the costs of installing the system, those associated with energy and those related to the maintenance of the entire system.
High School Dr. Joaquim Gomes Ferreira Alves (Vila Nova de Gaia): How can we show people that they need to change their habits?
It is necessary to reinforce the idea that water is becoming scarce and that it is not an unlimited natural resource, as it is often thought. That it is subject to more and more pressures, reason why it is needed an attitude of conservation and rational use of this resource. One shall emphasize that sometimes it is enough to change little daily habits, without reducing the comfort, to save hundreds of liters of water per month.
First, I believe that ne should start to sensitize colleagues, teachers and school workers to save this resource, mainly if the school may invest in new sanitary equipment. To decrease the volume of the toilet flush, putting a bottle of water inside it is, for instance, something that may be suggested to the school maintenance team. To verify if the tap is not open or the flush dripping, after its use. Do not open the tap in the maximum volume. When you detect a water leakage, advise immediately a school worker. These are simple examples, in fact, rules of common sense, that don’t imply the acquisition of new equipment with lower consumption.
Inter-school group of Vendas Novas: Which is the possibility to use salt water in flush toilets?
I believe it is a very remote possibility in our country.
Professional School Profitecla (Braga): Is it necessary some special treatment for the reuse of grey waters?
It is always necessary treatment for its reuse, although its complexity depends on the way we intend to use this water. There are different kind of technologies to do so.
Middle School Paços de Brandão: Nowadays, why is it not mandatory to use water reuse projects when building new houses?
Because it is still a very expensive technology, especially if we are talking about single-family houses, where often saving water does not compensate economically.
High School Castêlo da Maia: What is the approximate cost of installing a water reuse system in a dwelling?
It depends a great deal on the daily volumes that are intended to be treated and the type of treatment sought, which also depends on the intended use of this water. But it will always be thousands of euros, and one can not ignore the costs of installing the system, those associated with energy and those related to the maintenance of the entire system.
High School Dr. Joaquim Gomes Ferreira Alves (Vila Nova de Gaia): How can we show people that they need to change their habits?
It is necessary to reinforce the idea that water is becoming scarce and that it is not an unlimited natural resource, as it is often thought. That it is subject to more and more pressures, reason why it is needed an attitude of conservation and rational use of this resource. One shall emphasize that sometimes it is enough to change little daily habits, without reducing the comfort, to save hundreds of liters of water per month.
Middle School António Alves Amorim (Lourosa): Why are young people, with 13/14 years old, not quite aware of the water problem?
Most likely because they are used to pouring water whenever they open the tap. But it is enough that the public water supply system fails, even for half an hour, at "bath time", to understand the lack that it does. Moreover, I believe that the role of schools in alerting to water saving is important and can always be reinforced (from younger ages), somewhat similar to what is already being done about the separation of urban solid waste.
High School Quinta do Marquês (Oeiras): Is it possible a war due to water scarcity in the next 50 years?
The lack of water already affects several countries, such as the Middle East, China, India and North Africa. The increase of population and of its level of consumption, aggravated by the effect of climate change and the careless use of this resource, often seen as unlimited, increase the focus of tension on water. In addition, the fact that water presents an uneven spatial distribution, even in countries with large reserves of superficial fresh water, further exacerbates this situation. Adding to this the fact that countries / regions have to share their main rivers and common lakes, it can be seen that disagreeing on the distribution of these common goods could lead to a threat. That is why it is said that in the present century, wars may not be no more for political reasons or for possession of oil, as has hitherto, but because of water. The article http://www.publico.pt/temas/jornal/quando-a-agua-e-motivo-de-guerra-24397596 is interesting on this topic.
Most likely because they are used to pouring water whenever they open the tap. But it is enough that the public water supply system fails, even for half an hour, at "bath time", to understand the lack that it does. Moreover, I believe that the role of schools in alerting to water saving is important and can always be reinforced (from younger ages), somewhat similar to what is already being done about the separation of urban solid waste.
High School Quinta do Marquês (Oeiras): Is it possible a war due to water scarcity in the next 50 years?
The lack of water already affects several countries, such as the Middle East, China, India and North Africa. The increase of population and of its level of consumption, aggravated by the effect of climate change and the careless use of this resource, often seen as unlimited, increase the focus of tension on water. In addition, the fact that water presents an uneven spatial distribution, even in countries with large reserves of superficial fresh water, further exacerbates this situation. Adding to this the fact that countries / regions have to share their main rivers and common lakes, it can be seen that disagreeing on the distribution of these common goods could lead to a threat. That is why it is said that in the present century, wars may not be no more for political reasons or for possession of oil, as has hitherto, but because of water. The article http://www.publico.pt/temas/jornal/quando-a-agua-e-motivo-de-guerra-24397596 is interesting on this topic.