Page 46 - Respond 2016 Magazine

water

why marine

pollution

offers a www.baleen.com

solution

to climate

change

University of South Australia start-up, Baleen Filters,
are peer recognised experts in liquid/solid recovery and
water re-use across industry, with some 200 installations
operating across Oceania since 1999. The company
pioneers best practice in wastewater infrastructure and
seeks collaboration for technology transfer internationally.

To counteract climate change we need to understand that the Earth, the biosphere “Visualise a future in which
which sustains us, is an ecosystem of which we form part. And, to avoid environmental
catastrophe we must alleviate pollution and revitalise the ecological processes that the Earth’s natural cycles
sustain life. and urban economies
co-exist. Marine outfalls
Water is foremost to any ecosystem. Water cycles through the atmosphere, soil, rivers, transformed into Sewer
lakes and oceans distributing nutrients to support life. This cycle involves exchange Mining facilities with
of energy, which leads to temperature changes, contributing energy flow. These heat
exchanges influence climate. Consequently, water has a profound influence on climate. micro-plastics and non-
biodegradables recovered
The ocean is Earth’s largest supporting ecosystem, home to the most abundant life (as recyclables) separate
on Earth, but has long suffered as a consequence of industry and growing coastal from energy-rich ‘waste’
populations. The ocean is also the largest carbon sink, absorbing 90% of global warming (for carbon- negative fuel)
and 30% of all carbon emissions (WMO GAW 2014) but its own ecosystems are collapsing
as a consequence of pollution. and nutrient-laden ‘water’
reclaimed for irrigation.”
Humanity has dominion over Earth’s ecosystems and can preserve essential dynamics in Yuri Obst, Founder and CEO
two practical ways. The first is through mitigation of pollution and the second is through of Baleen
reconciliation of natural water cycles.
Visit www.baleen.com
Waste water disposal poses a direct influence on the water cycle. It is a ‘waste’ stream and contact yuri@baleen.
typically 99.9 to 99.99% in water content and if managed more wisely would end marine com for partnership
pollution and benefit natural water cycles indefinitely. Reclamation of ‘WasteWater’ opportunities.
for irrigation revitalises a plethora of ecosystems, thereby preserving the second most

44 www.rtcc.org