The Importance of Water Conservation

 

Water is our Earth's most precious resource.  Without it, humans and all life would die.  With low water supplies, we would not be able to do many of the things that keep us in our current, comfortable lifestyle; things like shower every day, cook, run buildings and offices.. the list goes on and on.  And while those of us in the United States use a large portion of the world's water and other resources, we often don't realize how crucial it is that we reverse this as much as possible. 

Why is it so important?

• By 2025, two-thirds of the world’s population – or 5.3 billion people – will suffer from water shortages.  Right now, 1.1 billion people – or 1 in 6 people worldwide – do not have access to clean water.
• Every year, 1.8 million children die from waterborne diseases; that is one dead child every 15 seconds. Water-related diseases caused by contaminated water and inadequate sanitation are responsible for 80% of all illness in the developing world.
• Seasonal runoff from glaciers provides drinking water for 1/6 of the world’s population, but  global warming is expected to permanently melt 1/4 of the world's glaciers.
• The agriculture industry is the largest user of water in the world today. It accounts for 70% of all fresh water used every year, and consumption of water by farms will only increase to feed a growing population: 2.7 billion people by 2050.
• 1,374 square miles of land turns to desert every year, an environmental crisis that affects 200 million people and threatens the lives of many more. Global desertification threatens 1/5 of the world’s population and 1/3 of the Earth’s land surface (15 million square miles.
• Half of the world’s 500 major rivers are seriously depleted or polluted by industrial, agricultural, and human waste.
• Four quarts of oil discarded during an average oil change in a car can contaminate up to 1 million gallons of water.
• Even the water in the U.S. isn't as clean as we think. Residue from antidepressants, birth control pills and antibiotics are found in 80% of U.S. waterways and groundwater, according to the EPA.
• Worldwide, 2 million tons of human, industrial, and agricultural wastes are discharged into rivers and lakes every day. On average, no more than 1/3 of the waste water in developing countries is treated before being discharged into rivers, streams, and lakes, while one quart of untreated waste water pollutes eight quarts of fresh water.
• Many water sources have become so polluted & over-fished that 1 in every 5 of the world’s freshwater species have become extinct, threatened, or endangered in recent decades. 

What can you do now to help conserve water?

• Shorten your showers to less than 10 minutes. Already doing it in less than 10 minutes? Make it 7.
• Turn off the water while you're brushing your teeth, shaving, or washing your face.
• Leaky faucet or shower head? A dripping faucet can waste up to 2,000 gallons/7,600 liters of water a year. Check the plumbing in your house and repair the leaks as soon as possible.
• Consider investing in low-flush toilets, shower heads and faucet aerators. You’ll save thousands of gallons of water each year and your water bill will be lower! Also, avoid flushing the toilet unnecessarily. Dispose of tissues, insects and other such waste in the trash.
• Call your water utility company and ask for a copy of their latest water quality report. Public water utilities regularly test the quality of the drinking water they provide to customers.
• Reduce your use of pesticides and fertilizers, and look for safer alternatives to control weeds and bugs. Lawn and garden pesticides and fertilizers can pollute the water. Some alternatives are geraniums to repel Japanese beetles; garlic and mint to repel aphids; and marigolds to repel white flies.
• When washing dishes by hand, fill one sink or basin with soapy water. Quickly rinse under a slow-moving stream from the faucet.  If you have a dishwasher, these are actually more water-efficient than handwashing, but be sure to be energy-efficient!
• To make the most of the water you use outdoors, never water your lawn at the hottest time of day (usually in the early to mid-afternoon) or when it's windy. Turnoff your sprinklers when it’s raining. On average, 50% - 70% of household water is used outdoors for watering lawns and gardens.  If you have a garden, consider using the water you collect from rain, etc to water the plants instead of using fresh water straight from the hose.
• Have a garden? Use mulch. It helps to conserve water by holding moisture in the earth longer.
• Store drinking water in the refrigerator rather than letting the tap run every time you want a cool glass of water. 
• Do not use running water to thaw meat or other frozen foods. Defrost food overnight in the refrigerator.

What other ideas can you think of to help conserve water?  Leave a comment and share below :)!

Namaste- 

Candace

RedSunflower Designs

Green Living: Picnics

I remember those warm Spring, Summer, and even Autumn (I'm from the South) days spent taking a trip to the mountains for a picnic.  And as much fun as I had playing in the creeks, huge fields, and chasing butterflies, as a kid, I didn't think much about the environmental impacts that picnicking often has.  Now, I'm not about to tell people to stop picnicking (hello? hours of free entertainment for the kids, after which they'll want to sleep :).. ) and enjoying the natural beauty of the Earth, but I do think there are some tips you can use to make your family-outing abit more eco-chic!

• It’s all about the bag. Repurpose a reusable grocery store tote bag as a picnic bag or try an old-fashioned picnic basket.
• Grab the grub. Organic food is better for the earth and the environment. Also buy food that’s grown locally to save on gas and support local farmers.
• Pick your tools. Use recycled or recyclable picnic products. Consider biodegradable dishes and utensils made from natural and renewable resources, such as potato starch or a corn-based plastic. After use, these supplies can be composted. Cloth napkins made from organic cotton are the most environmentally friendly option for wiping your face, but a good second bet is paper napkins made of 100% recyclable paper.
• Location, location, location. Try picnic sites that you can get to by walking, hiking or taking public transportation. But if you must drive, carpool.
• Leave only footprints, take only photographs. Do not disturb the wildlife at your picnic site, or gather flowers and plants.  Having lived so close to the Smoky Mountains for the entirety of my childhood, I can promise you that bear doesn't look nearly as cute when food comes into the equation.  (Trying to get the kids on board with this plan?  Teach them about this phrase and why it's important.)
• Bring reusable tins and canisters. It can take up to 1,000 years for a plastic sandwich bag to biodegrade in a landfill.
• Pack in, pack out. Bring back any empty cans and bottles for recycling; crush them down to maximize space.
• Avoid the use of Styrofoam whenever possible. It endangers wildlife and is not biodegradable.. we're talking an eternity of Styrofoam. 

In the Pacific Northwest, the summer months are beautiful but short-lived.  Make the most of that gorgeous weather while it's there.   Let the kids get some fresh air and exercise.  You could even use the time as a lesson in biology and/or environmentalism.  Go and enjoy the great outdoors!  

Namaste - 

Candace 

RedSunflower Designs

Easy Ways To Honor The Earth on Earth Day!

Not only is today Earth Day, it's FRIDAY!!!  What a great combo :)!  Each year on Earth Day, I try to look at what I'm doing in my home, my businesses, and my life, and see how I can give more to the Earth, or at least take less.  Personally, I have a black thumb, so planting anything is always a risky adventure (even though I still try at least once a year).  

I think most people want to do something, but feel like they can't do enough, or what they're doing won't matter, etc.  It's important to keep in mind that, by us all doing something small, it usually adds up to something big.  You don't have to make some grandiose gesture; do what you can.  In that vein, here are some simple, no-nonsense ideas for things you can do to celebrate Earth Day: 

• CHANGE OVER TO ENERGY-SAVING LIGHTBULBS.  These are more of an initial investment than the typical lightbulb, but they've come a long way in pricing.  I went to flourescent lightbulbs over 5 years ago.  Since then, I've only had to replace two, one of which was broken in a move. 
• RECYCLE.  This sounds like a no brainer, and is really easy to do when you live in a city that offers this service.  But some smaller areas don't.  So, you can "recycle" in a different way.  Save your old shoeboxes, etc for craft projects for the kids.  Turn your old water bottles into small planters, or to make your own cleaning supplies. There are always lots of ways to recycle, including simply reusing or repurposing.
• COMPOST.  What I wouldn't give to have a house so that I could put in a large compost area in the back.  Luckily, I live in a large city and have a great alternative, in that the city has compost pickup, so even though I'm not getting to use it (see the black thumb comment above), at least it's being used and not going into a landfill.  There are also lots of compost bin designs, many that work well to keep the smell in, so it doesn't draw bugs or animals.  If you're a planter, this is some of the richest soil you'll ever get.
• GO MEAT-FREE.  I feel strongly that making the choice to go meat-free is very personal, and I wouldn't want to tell others what to do.  But consider going meat-free just for the day.  Production of dairy products and processing of meats takes an incredible amount of energy and involves alot of water waste. (Most of us could use the extra veggies anyway.)
• CLEAN UP A PARK OR PUBLIC AREA.  I'm a big believer in giving back. You don't have to think of it as giving back to your community; think of it as an act of gratitude to the Earth for everything you have to eat.
• ENJOY NATURE.  Go to the beach, for a walk in the woods, whatever works for you.  But get out and appreciate the natural beauty around you. 

These are just a few of the things you can do to honor Earth Day.  What other things would you add to this list?

Namaste - 

Candace

RedSunflower Designs

http://www.redsunflowerdesigns.etsy.com