Children playing in splashing water stream.

Water is life.

That’s not a cliché; it is a simple fact. Over two-thirds of the Earth is covered by water yet less than 2% is usable as drinking water. The water on the Earth is said to be older than the Sun (4.6 Billion Years old). Access to clean, safe drinking water is essential to every person in every corner of the world regardless of beliefs, race, gender or social status. Yet, water scarcity affects over 40% of the global population according to the United Nations.

In the U.S., Americans use an average of 100 gallons of water every single day. In some parts of the world, people must travel for miles every day to get to clean water while in other areas, clean water is simply not available due to poor sanitation, pollution or climate issues such as drought. In these areas, communities must rely on having clean water brought in to them. Imagine not having access to clean water and how it would impact your daily life. Before you think that this an issue that happens in other parts of the world, just look at Flint, Michigan to see how water pollution can happen anywhere. Taking clean water for granted is a mistake but one that you don’t have to make.

Here are some things to make you a Water Warrior

Simple Actions At home:

Turn off the tap when you brush your teeth.
Fix that leak! A dripping faucet can waste thousands of gallons of water every year.
Consider using water saving faucets and fixtures in your home.
Reduce your shower time by setting a timer.

Outdoors:

Plant outdoor landscaping that is drought tolerant and native to your location.
Grass is as non-permeable as concrete and does not allow water to easily enter the ground. Consider a rain garden or meadow plan if your outdoor space permits it.
Use rain barrels to capture water for watering flower beds, gardens, and lawns.
If you must irrigate, do not do so during the heat of the day when the water will evaporate. Water in the early morning and use your collected water first.
Consider permeable materials for hardscaping around your home. Check with local authorities and abide by permitting regulations for storm water management.
Do not dispose of chemicals in sewer systems as this can pollute local waterways.

As a citizen:

Join in Community clean-up efforts around streams and water ways in your community.
Support NGO’s and non-profits that work to bring clean, safe water to communities outside of your own.
When laws threaten the safety of clean water both locally and nationally, reach out to leaders and let them know that this matters to you. (And VOTE!)

But wait, what about the Oceans?

The other 98% of the water on the Earth exists largely in our oceans and seas. The oceans enrich us in so many ways. For one thing, they provide a food source that is the staple of diets world over. Climate change, pollution, and over fishing are dramatically changing the oceans every day. Oceans also have provided a “sink” for excess heat in our atmosphere. Unfortunately, research indicates that the overall temperature of the oceans is increasing rapidly and the PH of the water is becoming more acidic. This is the effecting ocean ecosystems and contributing to the loss of large swaths of coral around the world. Pollution is affecting the health of sea life and in turn finding its way into us. Rising ocean temperatures are undermining the sea ice in both Arctic and Antarctic, contributing to sea level rise that will ultimately swamp coastal communities around the planet. Sound dire? It is. But it’s not too late for us to turn things around.

How can you help?

Support organizations studying and protecting the seas and the life in them.
Properly dispose of and recycle items to keep trash and plastic out of the oceans.
If washing synthetic clothing, use fiber catching laundry bags to keep microplastics out of water. (They are now in our blood stream.)
Participate in clean-ups on coastlines.
Eat sustainably harvested seafood. Resources such as The Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch program provide helpful information. (Learn more here.)
Pay attention to laws affecting the oceans and coastal communities and reach out to officials to let them know that this issue matters to you.

WATER U DOING