Why Protected Areas Must Consider What’s Beneath the Surface
New research published in the journal Nature Sustainability finds that 85% of protected areas with groundwater-dependent ecosystems have groundwatersheds that may be under-protected. The Gist Protected areas are one of the most well-known conservation strategies, with many current global initiatives focused on expanding and strengthening the management of these areas. Protected area management often focuses […]
Businesses Becoming Great Lakes WISE
Anyone who pays attention to water knows the vital importance of the Great Lakes. It’s one of the world’s largest freshwater systems, holding 21 percent of the world’s surface freshwater and 84 percent of North America’s freshwater. This water is critical to life but also to commerce. Milwaukee’s access to Lake Michigan and the businesses […]
An Urgent Need for Water Stewardship in Food & Beverage Processing
Changing mindsets to reduce water waste. Without water, there is no food. This truth is often applied to agriculture, but it is valid at all stages of the food and beverage production process. In fact, a 2021 Barclays analysis finds that the consumer staples sector—which includes food, ingredients, agribusiness, meat, beverages, tobacco and household and […]
BEYOND VOLUMES: Exploring the Societal Value of Corporate Water Stewardship Projects
In response to emerging water challenges, a growing number of companies are engaging in corporate water stewardship and working with others to achieve more sustainable water management. Many of these companies use volumetric water benefit accounting (VWBA) to estimate volumetric water benefits (VWBs) and identify, select, and monitor projects. However, experience on the ground has […]
Experiential and Environmental Tourism in the Great Lakes
Executive Summary: This article explores two major trending elements of nature tourism which are directly applicable to the Great Lakes and specifically Niagara Falls: Experiential & Environmental Tourism. This article will define these terms and the trends that are driving the new demographic, and then enumerate some of the unique natural assets, which should make […]
Water Circularity Put to Practice in a Water-Intensive Industry
The Great Lakes are an invaluable freshwater resource, holding eighty-four percent of North America’s fresh surface water, providing drinking water to more than 40 million people, and acting as the lifeblood that fuels much of the region’s economic activity. Green Bay Packaging (GBP), headquartered along an arm of Lake Michigan in Green Bay, Wisconsin and […]
Protecting the Shores of the Great Lakes and Combating Climate Change with Coastal Carbon Capture
As anyone who has lived near one of the Great Lakes for the last few decades knows, water levels are on the rise and erosion is worsening. Thousands of homes are at risk, and the cost of protecting shorelines will run into the billions of dollars. The culprit? Excess carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere, […]
Sustainable Great Lakes: A Regional Assessment of Sustainability in the Binational Great Lakes Megaregion
For over fifty years, governments around the world, including in Canada, have discussed the importance of sustainability or sustainable development. One of the more prominent undertakings was the Rio Summit in Brazil in 1992, which led to the creation of Agenda 21. Subsequently, the Millennium Development Goals were adopted by the United Nations in 2000, […]
Ecolab’s Smart Water Navigator Values Water in Business
Free Online Tool helps Companies take Action
By Emilio Tenuta Celebrating World Water Day, Ecolab Inc., the global leader in water, hygiene and infection prevention solutions and services, launched an enhanced version of its Smart Water Navigator. The free online tool helps businesses understand the value of water in their operations and take action to achieve corporate water goals. This enhanced tool […]
Great Lakes CEOs Lead Global Commitment for Responsible Water Use
4 CEOs from Great Lakes Region among the 16 leaders to sign global commitment for water.