Jean Frankly's Blog – April 2010 Archive (13)

How do you find water in the desert, arid climates, and future deserts (desertification)?



Ancient wells (khettaras) in Morocco:







An ancient solution to creating a reliable water supply in the desert was developed in Iran more than 3,000 years ago. Qanats are man-made subterranean tunnels that lead groundwater to the surface for irrigation. Today these wells are found in the… Continue

This is not a disaster. But when the public transit system (especially the subway) breaks down, parts of my city grind to a halt. The transit system backs up quickly. People are stranded on street, or face a long walk to their destination.







Who is most affected by transit breakdowns in my city?

• People who rely on the subway or buses to get to work or school.
• People on a fixed income who need affordable transportation.
• People who are…

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My favorite secret for social innovation: "Create “transparent” technologies, ones that are easily understood by the users, and promote local innovation."

A transparent technology (tool or solution) feels natural, makes sense because it works simply, and becomes an extension of the people it's designed to serve.

More importantly, people will make a transparent technology their own. They will shape it,…

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I drink a lot of fruit beverages. During warm weather, my household consumes a large carton/bottle about every two days.



Sure we recycle the cartons and plastic bottles. But I realized the total number of cartons/bottles per year - from just one household - is ridiculous. It's far too much packaging!



Where can I find FRUIT DRINKS that are:

• Good tasting (we drink a lot of this stuff)
• Powered (minimal packaging, I can…

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Short on cash and time, but want to help your local charities?



Many local charities will accept functional items you no longer need as "gifts-in-kind". It just takes a bit of research. Check their websites to find out exactly what items you can donate.



A year ago, I discovered a vast array of items are accepted and re-used by charities I knew and trusted in my city (Toronto, Ontario). For example:

• Art work
• Books
• Building…

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How can poor farmers grow their crops using less water and fertilizer?



Drip irrigation (also: trickle irrigation or micro-irrigation) saves water and fertilizer by allowing water to drip slowly to the roots of plants, either onto the soil surface or directly onto the root zone, through a network of values pipes, tubing and emitters.



I first read about drip irrigation in the book "The Blue Sweater: Bridging the Gap between Rich and Poor in an Interconnected World". It… Continue

I'm a long-time supporter of FoodShare in Toronto, Canada. While food banks are necessary, organizations like FoodShare empower people through education, grassroots efforts, and smart local economics. Their wholistic approach looks at the entire food system - how food is produced, distributed and consumed.



Some of FoodShare's initiatives:

• Good Food Box - People buy boxes of fresh, healthy foods at cost from local…

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Today was a near-record hot day for March. No snow on the balcony for weeks.



It's dinner time and the solar-powered grill is heating up nicely. I'm the food prep expert (I like to chop stuff) and Jim handles the final cooking.



Sipping on the latest organic white wine from the nearby Niagara region, we relax after a long working day and start puttering around the kitchen.



Tonight's dinner is simple and tasty. Yesterday's finds from the local farmer market includes some… Continue

The Field-to-Table program is a not-for-profit healthy food delivery system for Toronto’s low-income citizens, operated by FoodShare since 1992. It's a smart wholistic approach to food distribution that is community-based and market-driven in a way that supports local farmers.



Here's how the Good Food Box project… Continue

I donated airline miles (Aeroplan) to Médecins Sans Frontières. They provide universal medical relief for people in world crises.



It's easy and fast. Don't let those unused miles and points expire!



Take action:

• Visit the websites of your loyalty/reward programs. Look for ways to donate (use) miles or points.
• Visit the websites of your favorite charities. Check if they accept miles or points as a…

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In an ideal world, we could convert our physical activity (walking, running, exercising, etc.) into stored energy. Gym equipment would have energy storage cells. Also, wind energy passing through (electric) cars and transportation vehicles would be captured and converted.



Healthier active people. Clean(er) renewable energy.



Updates: According to Evoke Agent… Continue

In 2020, I will be ten years wiser with good health (and eyesight) and my husband standing smiling by my side.

I will face most of my fears with a calm resolve and good humour. I will be patient and trusting of others.

I will design websites that encourage people to help strangers, make a difference, and believe in themselves.

Derek Lomas is director of PlayPower Foundation, a non-profit organization that creates free educational computer software for low-income families in India and other developing countries.



PlayPower gives educational software to computer manufacturers to bundle on low-cost ($12) computers. A TV is used as the monitor.



How are costs kept so low?



These 8-bit computers are in the… Continue