#Water partnerships

[waterandenergyrelief]

Partnerships and cooperation for water, industry and energy.

Industry has the capacity to advance responsible practices and devise market-based solutions to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at scale.

Collective action, in the form of partnerships and coalitions, increasingly with non-traditional partners, is vital where desired outcomes cannot be obtained through unilateral action alone. Commitment to shared goals and a recognition of the potential for trade-offs between company interests and broader public benefits are essential ingredients of success.

Companies within industries that rely heavily on water for their core business – such as manufacturing of goods or production of inputs and raw materials – have become increasingly attuned to water stress and the risks it poses to business interests. As a result, many companies are exploring and testing ways to reduce or mitigate water risks across their business and supply chains.

Collective actions allow companies to develop new skills and knowledge, such as greater understanding of community needs and values, and enhance their ability to connect with government actors and non-governmental organizations. Industry is in a unique position to lead on the collective action front, being very familiar with strategic partnerships and cooperation and their ability to produce win–win outcomes in core business areas.

In recent years the increased value of adding environmental, social and governance and water stewardship scopes to such arrangements has become very evident – not only in the commercial sense but also in the broader context of overall water sustainability to provide beneficial results for all parties. While leadership by individual companies is necessary to accelerate action toward SDG 6, it is not sufficient to achieve this goal.

Collective action, while not a panacea, is “needed among companies themselves, working together along global supply chains and on a precompetitive basis in specific industry sectors, issues and locations. It will also be needed on a cross-sector basis among companies, governments and civil society organizations”. Businesses anticipating that future in the strategic choices they make today are more likely to thrive and unlock the opportunities that a more environmentally stable and socially inclusive planet can bring.

Industrial water consumption

19% of the world’s freshwater withdrawals is used by industry and energy together

70% of the world’s freshwater use and pollution are caused by 7 major sectors - food, textile, energy, industry, chemicals, pharmaceuticals and mining

17% of total water consumption in high-income countries comes from industrial water withdrawal, while only 2% in low-income countries.

49% of all water consumption in the European Union is meant for industrial production.

Only 4% of water consumption in the Middle East and North Africa is meant for industrial production.

47% of water consumption in South Asia is meant for industrial production, and the region is experiencing high water stress

[mistressemmedi]

Just my two cents here but I see a lot of people justifying RBR's decision with "Yuki's a Honda man".

Yuki is a RB driver, contracted with RB and driving for Alphatauri. He is not a Honda driver on loan to RB, which I feel like that's the impression a lot of people have.

Was his sponsorship association with Honda one factor considered in the overall decision? Sure. Is it THEEE deciding factor? No.

[sammaggs]

Horse to Water | A Fraser/Kowalski Vid

But I remember you dancing in autumn when we met You won't believe I saw it then so many years ago There was something about you I struggled to forget My blood was rushing down to you

for @syrupmap // inspired by @gjdraws' piece here

[mechazushi]

This could very well just be me....

But did anyone else get Lesbian Coworker Vibes (.tm) from Dr. Pain and Christmas ( I fully do not remember the tree pin wearing chick's name right now.... I also don't know if I even spelt the blond doctors name right either/ going to edit this later.)

Like I got some weird "They definitely f*cked at one point" vibes from the two of them.

Even if you say "Oh, they're just good friends and coworkers." Buddy, you have never heard anything about lesbian culture, have you?

[p-h03n1-x]

Xiao Zhan Weibo update 6.11.2024 for IF Coconut Water

[blade-liger-4ever]

RWBY X Transformers Partnerships 4: Optimus Prime and Mercury Black - Peacemakers

"It's just....after everything I've done, it's still hard to believe a chance to change exists for a guy like me."

"There is always hope for redemption, Mercury. However, I believe you are missing one crucial factor regarding your past."

"Man, you talk in the most ancient way. Alright Boss Man, I've told you about myself, no lies. I was trained to be an assassin, made to kill others, and steal, then killed my own father. What 'crucial factor' am I missing?"

"The fact that you were an innocent child born into a hard life. I do not deny that you were forced into committing vile acts, or that, in some aspects, you perhaps enjoyed it. However, I know that you had no say in the matter, and that until you befriended young Ruby, you felt you had been caged in the occupation of an assassin. But by choosing to escape that life, and proving your reliability since then, you have shown to be capable of changing for the better. I believe you were meant for more, Mercury Black, and if you are willing, I would be grateful to help guide you on your new path."

".....You mean it? Even though we just met like, what, a month ago?"

"I refuse to lie to you on such matters, Mercury. In my spark, I am certain that you will achieve more than you could dream is possible."

"I...well, Ruby believes in me, but I - I never had an adult give me a chance like that. Until Tai and the others, but even then, they're..."

"Cautious?"

"Heh, to put it mildly."

"I assure you, Mercury, that such caution will not be exercised by myself. Should you need anything, you can always speak to me."

"....Thanks, Optimus."

Mercury is used to adapting. As an assassin, you have to be ready to switch tactics on a dime, or create a new plan on the fly when your old one goes up in flames. It'd been drilled into him (he had the scars to prove it), and even when his perspective on life had been shattered and reconstructed by Ruby, Mercury was able to pull himself together and adapt to the change in time for the Fall of Beacon.

However, living in his sort of/definite girlfriend's house with her family and now having to deal with the revelation of giant alien robots bringing their war to Remnant is more than probably even Marcus could handle.

In order to process this curveball, Mercury decides to keep by Ruby's room, detach himself from the world, and analyze the residents of Patch while this new pattern settles in his brain.

Tai is a kind man, and though he's surprisingly tame, Mercury has caught glimpses of the senior Xiao Long's fire that has been passed on to Yang. Speaking of Yang, the fiery blond is returning to her old self, albeit more restrained than before. To be completely honest, Mercury is grateful for that progress; seeing Yang in a shell-shocked, blank state had actually hurt him. Her boyfriend Neptune has perked up on account of this, and although he gets along with him, Mercury is still confused about how he's so accepting of the existence of literal alien robots. Then again, this guy's dating the Sun Dragon, so he shouldn't be surprised that Neptune was actually excited to hear that Qrow had brought home over-sized guests.

Oh, right. Qrow Branwen.

Although the Huntsman's reputation precedes him by a wide margin, and though the hairs on the back of his neck still tingle when Qrow's eyes land on him, Mercury's initial fear of the man has morphed into suspicion and a deal of resentment. Tai can claim he was adopted into the family all he wants to, but Mercury had been taught to look for patterns and anything unusual. And the uncanny facial resemblance between Qrow and his "honorary niece" is blatantly obvious. And the scythe weapon? Please, it takes a genius to build something like that, never mind maintaining and operating it with the ease he and Ruby exercise. So yeah, the chances of two unrelated individuals having the same genius to build an intricately designed scythe weapon are a million to one - and those odds have already been stolen by the 'Cybertronians' who'd fallen through some portal onto Remnant.

Mercury is still trying to understand that, but between monitoring Ruby and the house, he's getting there.

Wheeljack is similar to Qrow, which Mercury automatically associates with the words "dangerous" and "unpredictable". He's a good engineer, judging by the doo-hickey he's cooked up on the island, but the scars and sparky look in his eyes tells Mercury that the...'Wrecker-scientist', is just as capable of destroying as he is of creating. Ironhide is what every drill sergeant wishes he could be; the giant 'Autobot' barks orders and gives assignments at great speed, usually practiced as he takes over a task from one of the others when they move too slowly. Despite that, he's surprisingly careful when dealing with Miko - and Mercury does his best to avoid her and her explosions. She's innocent, he knows that, but by Remnant, she has too much energy for his liking.

Sideswipe is...loose. Mercury can't quite put his finger on it, but he knows that Sideswipe, in spite of his bravado and snark that rivals Yang's, is fast. If he had to bet, the younger Autobot is used to moving at speeds that allow him to dish out pain with little detriment to himself. Good qualities for sure, but the way he acts like a twenty year old and carries himself like that hits a little too close to home for Mercury's comfort. As for Smokescreen, it's obvious he's the team baby - the short Autobot has the same kind of energy for justice as Ruby, as well as the excitableness and easygoing nature. Because of that similarity, Mercury's willing to spend some of his free time with him, though there are moments of eerie silence from Smokescreen, as well as a distant gaze, that makes him wonder about the guy's inner thoughts. However, the kid brushes it off with swagger, and Mercury's too deep in his own concerns to bother trying to coax an admission out of him.

However, the one he can't seem to pin down is their leader: Optimus Prime.

The Autobot commander towers over them all, with only Ironhide standing even remotely close to Optimus' height. Optimus walks steadily, with a silent strength and confidence that Mercury has never seen in anyone else's stride. Moreover, he can feel the guy's power when he enters a room, almost as if it were a supernatural sensation. Heck, even when he's standing still, Mercury can sense that power at rest, waiting to be used and capable of unleashing itself in a breath if Optimus wanted to cut loose.

But that's not what boggles his mind the most about the Autobots' superior.

It's the way he speaks.

Optimus' voice is deep and carries far, easily putting every other male's baritone and bass to shame. And yet, despite that, despite the sheer force in his voice, Optimus always speaks in a calm tone. He always uses full sentences, never utilizes slang or contractions (That's wild), and not once - ONCE - has Mercury heard his voice rise beyond an octave. It should be intimidating, should make him question this guy's status among the Cybertronian race.

And yet...the absolute warmth in Optimus' voice reaches something inside of Mercury. It reaches in and stirs something, something like a small child, to consciousness, and makes the child want to reach out to Optimus for something like comfort, and safety.

The only time Mercury can actually remember doing that is a time when he was eight, shortly after his mother had died. And his plea for consolation had been answered with a severe punishment from Marcus.

That memory makes all of his instincts scream to stay away from Optimus emotionally. Ruby understands him, accepts him, and so far her opinion outweighs the realistic worries of her family, which has given Mercury more time to continue improving himself and showing that he has changed from his upbringing. But since he's gotten to know her, he's become friendly with the other people in her life, although he can't help but keep some of them at arm's length for a while yet. Tai lets him roam the house free, Yang's willing to spar with him while Neptune cheers and mediates on the side, while Mercury and Qrow keep their distance based off a mutual, silent understanding of Ruby's true parentage between them.

So finding himself almost unconsciously following after Optimus whenever a meeting ends is more than a shock for Mercury.

It happens to him three times. The first time is when they meet, and Mercury had still been processing the Autobots' arrival. He'd all but locked himself in the guest room, and stayed in Ruby's room for a week to figure things out. The second time was when Wheeljack had finished half of the doo-hickey out in the woods, and required new equipment that required everyone's presence. Mercury had all but run back to the cabin from the shock of that lapse, and seeing that Ruby had woken up had kept him occupied for the next five days, and given him a reasonable excuse for avoiding the Cybertronians, their leader especially. However, his time with Ruby, while relieving and rejuvenating for them both, came to a head when Wheeljack stuck his metal foot in his mouth and openly identified Ruby as Qrow's daughter when they were working on Branwen's scythe.

He knew she was going to run, knew she was going to be too fast for him. But Mercury still tried going after her, mildly surprised that Smokescreen shifted into a sporty racecar to take after her as well. It seemed that he reacted instinctively too, as the short Autobot drove off without thinking to offer him a ride, and Mercury found himself chasing air and dirt before logic made him stop.

As he stood there, Optimus entered the area from the side, and Mercury's whirling thoughts consisted of one realization that the Autobot had been nearby when the fiasco began. To his surprise, Optimus asked him what had happened, and with a quick scan of the place around him, Mercury saw that Qrow and Wheeljack had disappeared - whether to chase down Ruby or not, he had no idea.

Resisting all his better instincts, Mercury summed up Ruby's real parentage and how he and Qrow had been trying to avoid it until Wheeljack ruined it. To his immense surprise, Optimus listened with keen interest, and once he'd finished, the leader thanked him and advised they let Smokescreen find her, as (apparently) the kid had ways of bonding with "human youth". Mercury quietly scoffed at the phrasing, then mumbled about the strangeness of this alien leader.

That dour sarcasm evaporated when he looked up and saw that he was trailing Optimus' moving feet.

Certain he was losing his mind, Mercury froze and tried to think of a way to leave without being spotted. However, Optimus paused and spoke his name, the patient, quiet underlying command of "stay put" rooting him to the ground. Turning around, Optimus revealed that he was aware of not only Mercury's unconscious tailing of him, but how he'd been avoiding him for the past two weeks as well. Optimus told him that while he respected his privacy and actions, he wished to know why Mercury fears him, as he only wants to be a friend to him.

The words make everything that's been building up inside of Mercury snap, and he can't help it. He yells at Optimus, blurts out that no one can be as good as he is, that adults aren't as inherently kind like him and that anything like those qualities are destroyed somehow in short order. He lashes out that he can't figure Optimus out because he's so different, so good, and honest-to-Remnant heroic, and that no one can - can...

"...Make me feel like a kid. A defenseless kid, who never....never had what Yang has with Tai."

Mercury stuffs his hands in his pockets, then stares at the ground and hopes against all reason that the world will just go back to making sense. Optimus takes two careful steps forward, bends down, and to Mercury's shock, picks him up. His hold is gentle, and he brings the hand holding him to his chest, where Mercury notices a pale glow emanating from somewhere behind the glass before the comforting warmth of his metal body distracts him and makes Mercury relax. As Mercury processes this, Optimus quietly speaks, telling him that many people are too weak to be either good or heroic, and that yes, many can be good, but will have their better qualities destroyed. Oftentimes, the latter is a personal choice, such as the Decepticons' leader Megatron, who Optimus once considered a brother before their war broke out. As Mercury detects a faint humming inside of the Autobot's chest, Optimus adds that many can and do choose to be good, and that while some possess those qualities to greater degrees than others, it does not make the entire adult world cruel.

"Life itself is cruel, and I feel you know that better than many your age do. However, if you will allow me to, I would be pleased to help you heal and learn to trust others again, Mercury."

Mercury's not sure if this is how it feels to have a father, but even if it isn't, he's gonna fight to keep it the same way he'll fight to keep Ruby safe.

Optimus and Mercury form a close bond after this, with Optimus often making sure Mercury is both safe and emotionally well after a long day. He knows when Mercury needs a push to go to bed or otherwise take care of himself, but more times than not, Optimus can tell when he should speak sternly to the boy over his sleep schedule, as well as when to put his foot down over Mercury's regular time of training, reconnaissance, and other habits. Similarly, Mercury has learned tricks of getting Optimus to take a much needed break, usually by asking for some alone time that he's reluctant to admit he needs. They make a strong team on and off the battlefield, with Optimus helping to refine Mercury's techniques while Mercury tells him about Remnant's stars and history. The Autobot leader's fascination with learning their culture softens Mercury a tiny bit, and - perhaps - leads him to learn of Optimus' past on Cybertron....

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lord Almighty, last year drained me more than I realized! Sheesh, I thought for sure I'd get them done sooner than this!

Anyway, I had this team up in my head almost from the get-go. Mercury needs a real father, and Optimus is the manifestation of Team Dad, so it only made sense to buddy them up. For their name, I chose Peacemakers because Optimus wishes and fights for peace, while Mercury needs to find peace - though I admit, I was partly inspired by the weapon of the same name.

Pray I get more done sooner than this, folks! I love these two franchises, and I want to get back on track for this series I started so long ago. See you around, and remember the wisdom of the greatest Prime in history:

"Hold on to your dreams. The future is built on dreams."

[prettyflyshyguy]

I got so unhinged about supernatural i've been actually working on Virtual Ground because I have a perfectly good messed up pair of freaks from the early 2000s who don't get along and holy shit I want to tell that story

[sweetsaucyhazel]

The Witch, Hazel: Morning Tarot 7/30/24

theme of the day: spark (beginnings, untapped potential, uncertain future, rescue)

what lies beneath: trust (trust in others, personal connection, vulnerability, uncertainty)

advice: partnership (duality, communication, mutuality)

takeaway: it is quite possible to reach our dreams, but only if we take the time to develop healthy relationships. we need the support of others in order to shine our brightest.

[vox-off]

brandon and i had a long discussion last night and we're comfortably in a queer platonic relationship now

we're not romantically in love, we never have been, but we love each other deeply and though we call each other 'roommate', we've been living together like partners for years

nothing has changed, we just put it to words and it feels really nice

[deathsmallcaps]

While touring on the San Diego duck vehicles, we actually caught a glimpse of the navy training dolphins and sea lions. According to the guide, the sea lions were much better at being food motivated and trustworthy, but the dolphins were a bit more agile and quick, so that’s why they use both. They find and ‘tell’ the military where underwater mines are and such

I’m generally against the military, and I’m kind of against using animals in such dangerous jobs. But regardless of my feelings, it’s happening. And I’ve been wondering for a while how ethically involved are these animals. Like, are they domesticated? Are dolphins really that smart, enough that they can consent to this sort of thing? I know they need lots of mental stimulation, like border collies but even more. And I figure this is the right post to ask.

(Also for the record I am 99% sure the duck vehicle company respected the animals well, and asked us not to feed them at all. It’s been about 2 years since I went so I may not remember everything but they seemed good to me)

I think it's a common misconception that domesticating animals is somewhat like enslaving them. It really is more of a symbiotic relationship. No wild animal would have willingly put up with early humans if they didn't get something out of it. Wolves wouldn't have stayed with us and become dogs if they weren't getting food and safety out of it. Many large herbivores that are now domesticated could and would have easily trampled their early human captors or broken their enclosures open if they didn't have a reason to stay. Sometimes individual animals still do if we don't give them what they need.

The animals that have stayed with us for thousands of years have evolved to cooperate with us better. Dogs have additional facial muscles around their eyes that wolves lack in order to mimic human facial expressions. Sheep grow their wool perpetually while their wild counterparts don't because a bigger fleece means they're more likely to be allowed to breed and be kept around. Domestic dairy cows produce much more milk than wild bovine species and domestic hens lay more eggs. Do you know how energy costly producing eggs or milk is for an animal? It's pretty intense! They wouldn't be able to do that if we hadn't given them the food and safety from predators and the elements to.

And we really need to show these animals respect and gratitude for what they give us by taking excellent care of them. They gave up a lot to be with us, often including the means to take care of themselves in the wild. That's a huge reason why I'm not against using animal products, but I hate factory farming. They are still living, breathing creatures with needs and feelings. They deserve a comfortable life and, when the time comes, a humane death.

[waterandenergyrelief]

Partnerships and cooperation for water and climate change.

The cross-sectoral nature and interdependence of water and climate change with other vital natural resources, such as land or energy, can create more opportunities for partnerships and cooperation.

Accelerating action through partnerships and cooperation between water and climate stakeholders can create additional benefits to freshwater ecosystems and to the most exposed and vulnerable people, reducing disaster risks, delivering cost savings, fostering job creation and generating economic opportunities.

This requires improving existing partnerships and, in some cases, forging new ones at all levels, from local, national, basin to global, through multi-stakeholder processes. Research and learning institutions, the private sector, and civil society, including youth, women and marginalized groups, play a key role and support efforts to underpin effective government leadership and action.

World Water Development Report 2023 - Partnerships and cooperation for Water and climate change.

[hazeltarotreading]

sigil for January 2025: we are stronger together

nothing can stop a tidal wave.

the base drumming is the anthem we step to the heartbeats of our granddaughters and grandsons and rise together we rise together

-Flobots, Rise

[orchres]

I don't think there's any way to detach marriage and coupledom from the nuclear family and notions of ownership over another human being. Because while humans wanting and having mates is so normal all the performance that goes with it is socially constructed towards coalescing power and wealth. Marriage is a very straightforward way of signalling both to people and I am not interested in being anybody's show pony golden calf exotic parrot in a gilded cage. I'm ambitious and lucky and hot and unwittingly or no building the kind of social standing and material security that would make me very marriageable. so in addition to my political objections I am also motivated to reject the whole concept of marriage and coupling by spite because I hate to be controlled in ways that eat at my autonomy and singularity as an individual. it's fun to crush the dreams of people who look at me and see an opportunity to make statements about their worth. I'm not a fucking Rolex bitch leave me aloneee

[terrinakamura]

CES 2025: A Day of Innovation, Resilience, and the Sphere’s Magic

January 7, 2025—The First Day of CES, by Terri Nakamura An Early Start for the Delta Keynote Mornings and I aren’t the best of friends, but today was an exception. At 7 AM, I was up and ready to head to the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC) West Hall. Why the early start when doors didn’t open until 10 AM? Delta. After missing out on tickets earlier, I wasn’t taking any chances on securing…

[p-h03n1-x]

Xiao Zhan announcement of IF Coconut Water as their global brand spokesperson 6.11.2024