#namibian coast

[docileeffects]

[lionheartlr]

Discovering Namibia: A Traveler's Guide to the Jewel of the Desert

Are you ready to embark on an unforgettable journey through the heart of southern Africa? Namibia, a land of vast deserts, rugged coastlines, and diverse wildlife, beckons travelers with its untamed beauty and rich cultural heritage. In this comprehensive travel guide, we’ll delve into Namibia’s fascinating history, highlight its top attractions, and provide essential tips for planning your…

[reasonsforhope]

"Namibia is the driest country in Sub-Saharan Africa, and home to two of the world’s most ancient deserts, the Kalahari and the Namib. The capital, Windhoek, is sandwiched between them, 400 miles away from the nearest perennial river and more than 300 miles away from the coast. Water is in short supply.

It’s hard to imagine life thriving in Windhoek, yet 477,000 people call it home, and 99 per cent of them have access to drinking water thanks to technology pioneered 55 years ago on the outskirts of the city. Now, some of the world’s biggest cities are embracing this technology as they adapt to the harshest impacts of climate change. But Namibia leads the way.

How did this come about? In the 1950s, Windhoek’s natural resources struggled to cope with a rapidly growing population, and severe water shortages gripped the city. But disaster forced innovation, and in 1968 the Goreangab Water Reclamation Plant in Windhoek became the first place in the world to produce drinking water directly from sewage, a process known as direct potable reuse (DPR). 

That may sound revolting, but it’s completely safe. Dr Lucas van Vuuren, who was among those who pioneered Windhoek’s reclamation system, once said that “water should not be judged by its history, but by its quality”. And DPR ensures quality. 

This is done using a continuous multi-barrier treatment devised in Windhoek during eight years of pilot studies in the 1960s. This process – which has been upgraded four times since 1968 – eliminates pollutants and safeguards against pathogens by harnessing bacteria to digest the human waste and remove it from the water. This partly mimics what happens when water is recycled in nature, but Windhoek does it all in under 24 hours...

Pictured: These ultrafiltration membranes help to remove bacteria, viruses and pathogens. Image: Margaret Courtney-Clarke

“We know that we have antibiotics in the water, preservatives from cosmetics, anti-corrosion prevention chemicals from the dishwasher,” Honer explains. “We find them and we remove them.”

Honer adds that online instruments monitor the water continuously, and staff ensure that only drinking water that meets World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines is sent to homes. If any inconsistencies are detected, the plant goes into recycle mode and distribution is halted until correct values are restored. 

“The most important rule is, and was, and always will be ‘safety first’,” says Honer.  The facility has never been linked to an outbreak of waterborne disease, and now produces up to 5.5m gallons of drinking water every day – up to 35 per cent of the city’s consumption.

Namibians couldn’t survive without it, and as water shortages grip the planet, Windhoek’s insights and experience are more important than ever.

Interest from superpowers across the globe

In recent years, delegations from the US, France, Germany, India, Australia, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates have visited Windhoek seeking solutions to water shortages in their own countries. 

Megadrought conditions have gripped the US since 2001, and the Colorado River – which provides 40 million people with drinking water – has been running at just 50 per cent of its traditional flow. As a result, several states including Texas, California, Arizona and Colorado are beginning to embrace DPR.

Troy Walker is a water reuse practice leader at Hazen and Sawyer, an environmental engineering firm helping Arizona to develop its DPR regulations. He visited Windhoek last year. “It was about being able to see the success of their system, and then looking at some of the technical details and how that might look in a US facility or an Australian facility,” he said. “[Windhoek] has helped drive a lot of discussion in industry. [Innovation] doesn’t all have to come out of California or Texas.”

Pictured: The internal pipes and workings of Namibia's DPR plant. As water becomes scarcer in some parts, countries are looking to DPR for solutions. Image: Margaret Courtney-Clarke

Namibia has also helped overcome the biggest obstacle to DPR – public acceptance. Disgust is a powerful emotion, and sensationalist ‘toilet to tap’ headlines have dismantled support for water reuse projects in the past. Unfortunately, DPR’s biggest strength is also its biggest weakness, as the speed at which water can re-enter the system makes it especially vulnerable to prejudice, causing regulators to hesitate. “Technology has never been the reason why these projects don’t get built – it’s always public or political opposition,” says Patsy Tennyson, vice president of Katz and Associates, an American firm that specialises in public outreach and communications.

That’s why just a handful of facilities worldwide are currently doing DPR, with Windhoek standing alongside smaller schemes in the Philippines, South Africa and a hybrid facility in Big Spring, Texas. But that’s all changing. Drought and increased water scarcity worldwide are forcing us to change the way we think about water. 

Now, the US is ready to take the plunge, and in 2025, El Paso Water will begin operating the first ‘direct to distribution’ DPR facility in North America, turning up to 10m gallons of wasterwater per day into purified drinking water – twice as much as Windhoek. San Diego, Los Angeles, California, as well as Phoenix, Arizona are also exploring the technology."

Of course, DPR is not a silver bullet in the fight against climate change. It cannot create water out of thin air, and it will not facilitate endless growth. But it does help cities become more climate resilient by reducing their reliance on natural sources, such as the Colorado River. 

As other nations follow in Namibia’s footsteps, Windhoek may no longer take the lead after almost six decades in front.

“But Windhoek was the first,” Honer reminds me. “No one can take that away.”"

-via Positive.News, August 30, 2023

[afeelgoodblog]

The Best News of Last Week - March 20, 2023

🌱 - Okra to the Rescue and Other News You Can't 'Lettuce' Miss This Week

1. 4 day work week being pushed in Congress

Progressive Democrats, led by Rep. Mark Takano of California, are pushing for a four-day workweek to give Americans more time for leisure outside of work. The proposed Thirty-Two Hour Workweek Act would amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to require overtime pay for any employee working more than 32 hours in a week at a rate of time and a half.

More than 70 British companies have started to test a four-day workweek, and halfway through the six-month trial, most respondents reported there has been no loss in productivity.

2. Governor Walz signs universal school meals bill into Minnesota law

Minnesota just became the fourth state in the US to provide breakfasts and lunches at no charge to students at participating schools! The bill was signed into law by Governor Tim Walz on Friday, and it's set to ease the burden on parents who struggle to provide meals for their children.

The new legislation will cover the cost of meals for all students, regardless of household income. This means that families who don't qualify for free and reduced meals but who struggle to pay for food will also be covered. The bill is also meant to prevent "lunch shaming" practices, where children are denied food or given substitutes that indicate their family is struggling financially.

3. Texas Researchers Use Okra to Remove Microplastics from Wastewater

Researchers from Tarleton State University in Fort Worth, Texas discovered that food-grade plant extracts from okra have the power to remove microplastics from wastewater. Polysaccharide extracts from plants like fenugreek, cactus, aloe vera, tamarind, and okra were found to be effective non-toxic flocculant alternatives to remove microplastics from water.

Polysaccharides from okra and fenugreek were best for removing microplastics from ocean water, while a combination of okra and tamarind worked best for freshwater. Furthermore, plant-based flocculants can be easily implemented in existing water treatment facilities.

4. In the northern California snow, stranded cows are getting emergency hay drops

The recent wave of unprecedented snowfall in California has left cattle stranded and starving. When rancher Robert Puga ran out of hay, neighboring Humboldt County officials put together an emergency rescue operation called "Operation Hay Drop." State, federal, and local officials airdropped stranded cattle bales of hay to feed them.

Humboldt County Sheriff William Honsal went to the Coast Guard with the idea of a helicopter rescue, and by midday Sunday, March 5, Operation Hay Drop was underway. So far, Operation Hay Drop has been a success, said rancher Puga. The mission covers about 2,500 head of cattle over several miles.

5. Make-A-Wish Foundation no longer considers Cystic Fibrosis to be automatically qualifying due to improvements in life outcomes for patients

Given the ongoing life-changing advances in cystic fibrosis, beginning in January 2024, cystic fibrosis will no longer automatically qualify for a wish.

6. 1st woman given stem cell transplant to cure HIV is still virus-free 5 years later

In 2017, a woman known as the "New York patient" underwent a stem cell transplant to treat both her cancer and HIV. Now, about 30 months later, she has been virus-free and off her HIV medication, leading some researchers to suggest that she may have been cured of HIV.

The New York patient, received stem cells taken from umbilical cord blood that also had the HIV-resistance genes. However, it's important to note that there is no official distinction between being cured and being in long-term remission, and the medical team is waiting for longer-term follow-up before making any definitive statements.

7. Cheetahs Back in Wild in India After Seven Decades

Namibian cheetahs have been successfully reintroduced to India after the world's fastest land animal was declared extinct in the South Asian country more than 70 years ago. Two cheetahs, Obaan and Asha, were released into the wild of Kuno National Park after being brought to India last September.

The species is being reintroduced on an experimental basis as part of a major prestige project for Prime Minister Narendra Modi. India aims to bring in about 100 of the big cats over the next decade. The African cheetah is a different subspecies from the extinct Asiatic cheetah, which once roamed the sub-continent in great numbers.

Lastly, I recently opened a Youtube channel. Subscribe for a weekly compilation of feel good videos.

- - -

That's it for this week :) If you liked this post you can support me with a small kofi donation:

Buy me a coffee ❤️

Let's carry the positivity into next week and keep spreading the good news!

[england-would-fall]

hello my darlings

i was on a 3+ week roadtrip and immediately began a fast and furious relocation back to the U.S. (family back home needs us). please keep tagging me in things! i’ll get back on track at some point, promise!

Enjoy this photo of seals I saw chillin’ on the Namibian Skeleton Coast

[aibrushstrokes]

Shipwreck on Namibian coast.

[naynah-pinsence]

i love love love your mmppp rewrite project! i'm not sure if you've already answered this but did you have particular ethnicities / countries in mind for the girls?

Thank you! I don't think I've officially talked about the "official" ethnicities/countries before. The real world counterparts for the Mermaid Princesses are as follows:

Lucia - Japanese, American

Hanon - Namibian, Brazilian, Venezuelan

Rina - Irish, Greek, Norwegian

Karen & Noel - Russian, Alaskan Athabaskan

Coco - Colombian, Cambodian, Mexican

Sara - Indian, Egyptian

Seira - Indonesian, Australian

In general, I don't want any of the mermaids to be 100% a certain ethnicity or 100% from a specific culture or country, but also I am drawing on real world things sooo. Idk it makes sense to me that in the world the mermaid kingdoms would be influenced to a degree by the land masses they are by, especially the areas closer to coasts. But having a kingdom just be Underwater Russia or whatever seems kinda dull.

I will also mention that I am white, so I try to err on the side of caution and am a little worried of accidentally writing or drawing something accidentally insensitive. That being said, even as a kid it kinda bothered me that these characters from all over the planet dressed the same and had the same skin tone. A few years back, I played Allegrezza Harmony and that kinda kick-started the whole rewrite project. In the game, Hanon is black, and I was just like CORRECT. Idk it vibed with me. Freckles on Rina also, but I think my redesigns for Rina have gotten less freckled over time? Freckles are cute.

sorry for the ramble lol.

[learningtosmelltheroses]

Yeah, I'm thinking the killer whale experience was when he went with his family to the Namibian coast 4 years ago. The waters there have great whites and orcas

Tom doesn't have a good notion of time 😂😂

To be honest who has it after the pandemic? I still think 2017 was like 3 years ago instead of 6 years ago

[docileeffects]

[odyssej]

I had pictured Christa Kannegiesser to be of either German South African or Namibian descent. As they were dating for slightly over a year, she and Ernst would have gone on a few trips together.

Only now did I look this up:

Looks a lot like the beach where Art lived as a child. He, meanwhile, was in Argentina as Ernst looked out from the Namibian coast, the music still in his ears.

[xtruss]

A kelp forest off Anacapa Island, California. Researchers have found that underwater forests cover an area comparable to the Amazon basin. Photograph: Douglas Klug/Getty Images

Seascape: The State of Our Oceans! The Hidden Underwater Forests That Could Help Tackle The Climate Crisis

Kelp absorbs carbon dioxide and has high nutritional value, but it is under threat from rising temperatures, pollution and invasive species

— By Lucy Sherriff in Los Angeles

Bubbles stream furiously behind Frank Hurd as he gently parts the curtains of giant kelp. Green and gold ribbons reach upwards through the cold waters of the Pacific Ocean towards the sun.

Hurd, a marine biologist with environmental organisation the Nature Conservancy, is diving in a kelp forest off Anacapa Island, one of the protected rocky volcanic islets that form the Channel Islands national park, an archipelago off the coast of southern California.

This thick, healthy kelp – a type of seaweed – forms a small part of underwater forests that blanket the coastline of nearly every continent. Some are relatively well-studied, including the Great African Sea Forest, a rich stretch of giant bamboo kelp spreading north from Cape Town to the Namibian coastline that was the setting for the film My Octopus Teacher; and the Great Southern Reef, a giant kelp forest hugging Australia’s southern coastline. But many more of these forests are unnamed and unknown – hidden underwater.

A harbour seal descends from the kelp canopy in the rich underwater forests off Santa Barbara, California. Photograph: Douglas Klug/Getty Images

Despite being one of the fastest growing plants on Earth, kelp has historically been difficult to map because of the difficulties of measuring ocean depths with satellites. However, research published in September found that seaweed forests are far more extensive than previously realised.

An international group of scientists from eight countries, led by Dr Albert Pessarrodona from the University of Western Australia, manually sifted through hundreds of studies – including local plant data records, online repositories and citizen science initiatives – to model the global distribution of ocean forests. They found that underwater forests cover between 6m and 7.2m sq km – an area comparable to the Amazon rainforest basin and twice the size of India.

Still from My Octopus Teacher, set in a rich stretch of giant bamboo kelp spreading north from Cape Town to the Namibian coastline. Photograph: Netflix

Seaweed forests can act as a vital buffer against the climate crisis, absorbing carbon dioxide from seawater and the atmosphere. Ocean forests may store as much carbon as the Amazon rainforest, according to one analysis.

Yet there is still a sizeable gap in understanding of seaweed’s long-term ability to sequester carbon, because it lacks a root system to lock the carbon into the ground, unlike other marine plants such as mangroves and seagrass. Whether carbon stays locked up also depends on what happens to the seaweed, and there is still scientific debate on how effective it is at storing the element.

Kelp provides food and shelter for fish, marine animals and birds. Photograph: Brandon Cole Images/Shutterstock

Marine ecologist Dr Karen Filbee-Dexter, one of the study’s 10 authors, said the research was a “major step forward” in understanding the potential role that seaweed can play in mitigating climate breakdown, “because it calculates the productivity – growth and carbon uptake – of the largest marine vegetated ecosystem”. It can also help estimate the carbon-sink potential of the world’s marine forests, she added.

Kelp, the largest seaweed species, able to grow tens of metres high, also plays a vital role in marine ecosystems, providing food and shelter for fish, other marine animals and birds.

In Australia, native kelp is home to the weedy seadragon – a purple-hued creature with leaf-like appendages that look like kelp fronds – which only lives along the country’s coastline. Kelp forests along North America’s Pacific coast provide vital habitats for southern sea otters. In addition, the mighty grey whale uses kelp forests as a haven from predatory killer whales and as vital feeding grounds for their young during their migration to Alaska waters from Baja California in Mexico.

A weedy sea dragon in Jervis Bay, New South Wales, Australia. Photograph: By Wildestanimal/Getty Images

Underwater forests could also have a role in efforts to alleviate the world’s food security crisis, thanks to their rapid growth.

The scientists examined hundreds of individual studies from around the world where seaweed growth had been measured by scuba divers. “We found ocean forests are more productive than many intensely farmed crops such as wheat, rice and corn,” the study noted. It defined productivity in terms of how much biomass – the fronds, stipes and holdfasts of the seaweed – was produced by crops and seaweed.

On average, ocean forests in temperate regions, such as Australia’s southern coast, produced between two and 11 times more biomass by area than intensely farmed crops, a productivity that could be harnessed for the food system.

“If Harvested Properly, Seaweeds Have The Potential To Be A Very Sustainable And Nutrient-dense Food Source” — Amanda Swinimer

Seaweed ecologist Dr Sophie Steinhagen inspects the crop at the seafarm in the Koster archipelago in Sweden.

Seaweed has been mass-consumed in Asia for centuries, and now western markets are catching on, albeit on a small scale, with more European and North American companies manufacturing seaweed products for human consumption. The Cornish Seaweed Company has a seaweed salad range; Marks & Spencer has a “coconut seaweed crunch” snack, and there are numerous lines of kelp burgers.

“Although there is evidence of seaweed being consumed as food 14,500 years ago, it has not been a part of the diet for large swaths of the world’s population,” says marine biologist Amanda Swinimer, who has been wild harvesting seaweed for decades through her company, Dakini Tidal Wilds.

However, she adds, as food security becomes more of an issue, “people are looking for other sources of nutritious food. If harvested properly, seaweeds have the potential to be a very sustainable and nutrient-dense food source.” Seaweed is also being used as animal feed, in place of corn and soya beans, thanks to its high nutritional value.

Seaweed can be a nutritious source of food if harvested properly. Photograph: M&S

Yet these underwater forests face multiple threats, including rising sea temperatures, pollution and invasive species. Along the northern California coast, kelp has declined by more than 95% over the past several years, decimated by sea urchins – whose population has exploded as vast numbers of starfish, their main predators, have been killed by a wasting disease linked to warming waters.

The Great Southern Reef along Australia’s coastline, and forests in the north-west Atlantic, along the coasts of Maine, Canada and Greenland, are also showing concerning signs of decline.

Seaweed forests are often overlooked and less studied compared with coral reefs, making it difficult to understand how they are changing. “Most of the world’s seaweed forests are not even mapped, much less monitored,” says Filbee-Dexter. While corals are found in warm, calm and easily accessible areas, making them fairly easy to study, kelp is in cold waters on some of the choppiest, roughest coasts in the world.

Seaweed farming in Sweden could be a vital component of the shift away from eating meat for protein.

Filbee-Dexter believes that the more scientists understand about these vital but fragile marine ecosystems, the easier it will be to help them survive. “I hope that more awareness about these forests will lead to more protection and restoration.”

In California, Hurd continues to dive among the kelp forests, monitoring their progress and hoping their decline can be stemmed. “The loss of these incredibly productive ecosystems is devastating for both nature and people,” he says. However, as science continues to develop smarter technologies to track kelp, such as drones, satellites and AI, he remains hopeful that research can shed light on the role of kelp in fighting climate breakdown.

“The one thing that kelp in particular should never be underestimated for is the productivity and biodiversity it supports around the world. It should be protected and restored with a great sense of urgency.”

Seaweed growth was measured by scuba divers for the research. Photograph: vernonwiley/Getty Images

[topviral]

Namibia's Hidden Treasures Will Blow Your Mind

Discover the pinnacle of luxury in Namibia’s breathtaking landscapes! Join us as we explore the top ten most expensive luxury items and experiences this stunning country offers. From the opulent White Pearl Suite to the exclusive Skeleton Coast Safari, immerse yourself in unparalleled elegance. Marvel at the rare Namibian Blue Diamond and experience the grandeur of the Groot Constantia wine…

[malaysiatravelagency]

Namibia Unleashed: Explore the Untamed Beauty of Africa’s Hidden Gem"

Namibia, a land of vast deserts, dramatic landscapes, and rich cultural heritage, is one of Africa’s most captivating yet often overlooked destinations. From the towering dunes of Sossusvlei to the rugged Skeleton Coast, Namibia offers an adventure like no other, where nature's raw beauty is on full display.

At our travel agency, we invite you to discover the untamed beauty of Namibia through personalized travel experiences. Whether you're a thrill-seeker eager to conquer the world’s tallest sand dunes, a wildlife enthusiast on the lookout for desert-adapted elephants and elusive cheetahs, or a culture lover wanting to connect with the Himba people, Namibia promises a journey that is both unique and unforgettable.

Imagine starting your adventure in the ethereal landscapes of the Namib Desert, where the shifting sands create a mesmerizing, ever-changing canvas. Explore Deadvlei, a surreal white clay pan dotted with ancient, sun-bleached trees, or take a hot air balloon ride at sunrise, floating over the endless dunes as the sky paints itself in hues of pink and gold.

For wildlife lovers, Etosha National Park offers incredible game viewing opportunities. Spot lions, rhinos, and giraffes as they gather around the park’s many waterholes, and experience the thrill of a night safari under a star-studded sky.

Namibia is also home to the mysterious Skeleton Coast, where shipwrecks and bleached whale bones tell tales of the Atlantic’s powerful forces. This remote and hauntingly beautiful region is perfect for those seeking solitude and a deeper connection with nature.

Our tailored itineraries ensure that every aspect of your Namibian adventure is customized to suit your interests and preferences. From luxury lodges to authentic cultural encounters, we take care of all the details so you can focus on soaking in the incredible beauty that Namibia has to offer.

Conclusion: Namibia is a land of contrasts and wonders, offering a truly unique travel experience for those willing to venture off the beaten path. With our expertly crafted travel packages, you can explore Namibia’s untamed landscapes, encounter its rich wildlife, and immerse yourself in its vibrant cultures. Let us guide you through Africa’s hidden gem, where every moment is an adventure waiting to unfold.

[theenergyconnection]

The company expects to drill as many as five wells within the Northern Cape Ultra Deep license block, about 300 km (186 miles) offshore the west coast of South Africa in depths up to 3,200 m. Shell and TotalEnergies SE made oil and gas discoveries in Namibian waters north of the...

[cheaperflightshotels0]

Affordable Car Rentals in Namibia: Start Your Adventure with Cheaper Flights & Hotels

Discover Namibia with Cheap Car Rentals

Namibia, known for its stunning landscapes and diverse wildlife, is a dream destination for travelers. From the vast deserts to the breathtaking coastlines, there’s so much to explore. However, to truly experience all that Namibia has to offer, having a reliable mode of transportation is essential. At Cheaper Flights & Hotels, we provide affordable car rental options that allow you to travel around Namibia without breaking the bank. Visit cheaperflightshotels.com to find the perfect vehicle for your adventure.

Why Choose Our Cheap Car Rentals?

Competitive Prices: We offer some of the most competitive car rental rates in Namibia. Whether you're on a tight budget or just looking for the best deal, you'll find it here.

Wide Selection of Vehicles: From compact cars to SUVs, we have a wide range of vehicles to suit your needs. Whether you’re traveling solo, with a partner, or with family, we have the perfect car for you.

Convenient Booking Process: Our online booking system is user-friendly, allowing you to reserve your car in just a few clicks. Simply visit cheaperflightshotels.com, choose your vehicle, and you’re all set.

Flexible Rental Terms: We understand that travel plans can change, which is why we offer flexible rental terms to accommodate your needs. Whether you need a car for a day, a week, or longer, we’ve got you covered. Cheap car rental

Excellent Customer Service: Our dedicated customer service team is always ready to assist you. From helping you choose the right vehicle to providing support during your rental period, we ensure a hassle-free experience.

Explore Namibia's Top Attractions

With our cheap car rentals, you can explore Namibia’s top attractions at your own pace:

Etosha National Park: One of Africa's greatest wildlife parks, Etosha offers incredible game viewing opportunities. Drive through the park and spot elephants, lions, giraffes, and more.

Sossusvlei: Famous for its red dunes, Sossusvlei is a must-visit for nature lovers and photographers. The drive through the Namib Desert is an experience in itself.

Swakopmund: This coastal town is known for its German colonial architecture and adventure activities. Enjoy sandboarding, quad biking, and more.

Fish River Canyon: The second largest canyon in the world, Fish River Canyon offers spectacular views and challenging hikes.

Skeleton Coast: Known for its shipwrecks and seal colonies, the Skeleton Coast is both eerie and beautiful. A drive along this coast is unforgettable.

How to Book Your Cheap Car Rental Cheap car rental

Booking your car rental with Cheaper Flights & Hotels is simple:

Visit Our Website: Go to cheaperflightshotels.com.

Select Your Dates: Enter your rental period to see available vehicles.

Choose Your Car: Browse through our selection of cars and choose the one that fits your needs.

Confirm Your Booking: Complete the booking process with a few simple steps.

Enjoy Your Trip: Pick up your car and start exploring Namibia!

Conclusion

Traveling around Namibia doesn't have to be expensive. With Cheaper Flights & Hotels, you can find affordable car rental options that fit your budget. Visit cheaperflightshotels.com today to book your vehicle and embark on an unforgettable Namibian adventure. Whether you're exploring the bustling city streets or the remote wilderness, our cheap car rentals will get you there comfortably and affordably.

Don't wait! Plan your trip now and discover the beauty of Namibia with Cheaper Flights & Hotels.

Cheap car rental