About 99% of the world’s land ice is stored in the huge ice sheets of Antarctica and Greenland, while only 1% is contained in glaciers. However, the meltwater of glaciers contributed almost as much to the rise in sea level in the period 2003 to 2009 as the two ice sheets: about one third. This is one of the results of an international study with the involvement of geographers from the University of Zurich.

Average pricing for Chinese-manufactured photovoltaic (PV) solar modules couldsurge by 45 percent in June, cutting some solar project IRRs to below 7 percentand further dampen demand in Europe as a result of the preliminary antidumpingduties imposed in the European Union, according to IHS (NYSE: IHS).

High Concentration Photovoltaic Thermal system able to convert 80 percent of the collected solar energy. System can deliver electricity, fresh water and cool air in remote locations. Design based on a low-cost, large dish-like concentrator and microchannel cooled high performance photovoltaic chips suitable for mass-production. Scientists have announced a collaboration to develop an affordable photovoltaic system capable of concentrating, on average, the power of 2,000 suns, with an efficiency that can collect 80 percent of the incoming radiation and convert it to useful energy. The proposed system can be built anywhere sustainable energy, drinkable water and cool air are in short supply at a cost of three times lower than comparable systems.

A vision for the future: if the Bundestag, i.e. German Parliament, passes a water conservation law that requires builders to install efficient fixtures, promotes private retrofits such as water-saving showers, toilets, washing machines and dishwashers and demands a water penny from large consumers, we will soon consume only half as much water as we do today. Every year 25,000 liters of water per capita would thus be saved, i.e. 250,000 liters in ten years. A family of four would save a million liters of water without sacrificing any comfort.

Even in today’s water-rich Central Europe we are heading for a water shortage. Our water is being used, contaminated and wasted. Poison in water, chemical waste, fertilizers and air pollution threaten our most important means of survival.

All founders of religions, philosophers and wisdom teachers from all periods and civilizations knew about that. The wonderful young man from Nazareth, an ecologist even 2,000 years ago, said, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” Responsible handling of water is religious service. And to those who wanted to follow him, ecologically-minded Jesus called out; “Be springs of living water.” He did not speak of impure or contaminated water. Parson Kneipp taught in the 19th century: “Aqua sanat – water heals!“