[Scpg] The Cycle of Insanity: The Real Story of Water,

[Wesley Roe and Santa Barbara Permaculture Network]

  http://www.knowyourh2o.org/


On World Water Day, March 22nd, 2010, the Surfrider Foundation 
launched The Cycle of Insanity: The Real Story of Water, a video that 
connects the impacts of our current water management system to 
coastal issues and offers common sense solutions to illustrate how we 
can make progress toward sustainability in water and wastewater 
management.

Access to clean water is a human right. Despite what our decision 
makers tell us, we're not in a water crisis; our water management 
system is itself a crisis. The way we manage water not only affects 
how much water we have in our storage tanks and reservoirs, it 
impacts the coastline and ocean as well. From sewage discharges to 
stormwater runoff, how we manage and value water has a direct 
correlation to the state of our beaches. Can't surf after it rains? 
Look no further than the streets of your town.

Created through a collaboration of volunteer Surfrider activists, The 
Cycle of Insanity: The Real Story of Water evolved into a 20-minute 
video explaining the connection between environmental problems on the 
coast and our outdated water management system. It explains the 
problems we face and offers solutions to improve the process and 
(re)use this precious resource wisely. The myopia of our society 
leads decision makers to propose and rely on short-term solutions to 
long-term problems, at the expense of our resources. For example, 
leaders propose desalination to create the renewable resource of 
water, but rely on the use of a non-renewable source of energy to do 
it. Short-sighted thinking led us into this Cycle of Insanity.

Originally conceived as an interactive website, the idea grew into a 
video as more Surfrider volunteers shared ideas, concepts, and 
energy. We found that video was the best medium to condense water 
facts and policy in an entertaining and informative way. We realize 
that it's often difficult for people to absorb new information, 
particularly information that asks them to shift their worldview. We 
believe that a video allows the viewer to easily digest the 
information. Directed towards Water and Public Agencies, Academics, 
City Councils, Press, Members, Students, and the General Public, The 
Cycle of Insanity: The Real Story of Water is as accessible to a 
6-year old as it is a 96-year old and everyone in-between.

Using the model of the water cycle as a template, the film explains 
the current style of water management and explores what the ideal 
water management system would look like, with localized water 
treatment plants and neighborhoods and cities that incorporate native 
plant life and filtration systems. It shows how smart water 
management can eliminate unnecessary run-off, encourage reuse, 
provide a buffer against storms and other so-called "natural" 
disasters, and improve the aesthetics and livability of our 
communities. Inefficient water management affects us all, regardless 
of our geographic location.

What began in San Diego as a campaign in integrated water eventually 
sprouted into the Know Your H2O program, an idea with roots in 
several of our California chapters-West Los Angeles and Malibu, South 
Orange County, Ventura, Monterey, Newport, Santa Cruz, and San Luis 
Bay-as well as the East Coast chapters. Water management is an issue 
that affects us all, impacting the water quality in our aquifers and 
oceans.

Concern, critique, moderation, and conservation are the building 
blocks of progress. Become engaged in the issues that affect your 
local community and access to clean water. Watch The Cycle of 
Insanity: The Real Story of Water and discover the water system as it 
should be-arm yourself with the tools to start thinking critically 
about water management and break the Cycle of Insanity!

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Santa Barbara Permaculture Network
    an educational non-profit since 2000
(805) 962-2571
P.O. Box 92156, Santa Barbara, CA 93190
margie at sbpermaculture.org
  www.sbpermaculture.org

"We are like trees, we must create new leaves, in new directions, in 
order to grow." - Anonymous
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