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Written by Lindsay Crowder   
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Tuesday, 08 June 2010

The Water Crisis
The Water Crisis—What You Can Do! Water is essential to all forms of life on Earth. Most of the water consumed by the average human being has been around for hundreds of millions of years and is constantly recycled in our atmosphere. Humans are made up of 60% water and we rely on it in every aspect of our lives. Yet, as the human population continues to grow at a rapid rate, our average water consumption is also on the rise. Not only do we need water for drinking, but we also require it for irrigation, industry, and sanitation (not to mention also sharing with it the thousands of other species on the planet). According to a report released by National Geographic:
Freshwater makes up a very small fraction of all water on the planet. While nearly 70% of the world is covered by water, only 2.5% of it is fresh. The rest is saline and ocean-based. Even then, just 1% of our freshwater is easily accessible, with much of it trapped in glaciers and snowfields. In essence, only 0.007% of the planet's water is available to fuel and feed its 6.8 billion people.1
It has been estimated that already 884 million people lack access to safe water supplies. This is approximately one in eight people, and by 2025 over 1.8 billion people will be faced with water scarcity.2 Therefore, our planet is currently facing a water crisis and every year the struggle for a clean water supply becomes more and more competitive.

Although the current water crisis is of global concern, the average American consumes more water per day than many people in developing countries do in over a week. We, as Americans, are not efficient water users. The typical American lifestyle requires 1,800 gallons of water per day— and about 70 percent of that water is used for the food we eat. Moreover, about 70 percent of drinking quality water that passes through our homes is used for cleaning or flushed down the toilet.3 What a waste! Robert Glennon, author of the new book Unquenchable: America’s Water Crisis and What to do About It, recently stated in an interview, “There are three methods for getting people to conserve water: voluntary conservation, perhaps egged on by public educational programs; mandatory conservation with various rules that prohibit certain uses; and price signals to encourage citizens to conserve.”4 Although some of these methods are out of our individual control, voluntary conservation is not. If do not begin to make changes in our daily lives to conserve water, our world will be in a severe crisis. Start by integrating some of these tips into your routine:5

1. Choose outdoor landscaping appropriate for your climate. Native plants and grasses that thrive on natural rainfall only are best.

2. Install low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators. Because you’re saving hot water, you’ll also reduce your energy bill.

3. If you’re in the market for a toilet, buy a low-volume, ultra low-volume, or dual-flush model. Also, make sure to fix any leaky toilets you might have in your home! For detailed instructions click here.

4. Fix leaky faucets. All those wasted drops add up—sometimes to 10-25 gallons a day. For instructions on fixing your leaky faucet, click here.

5. Run your dishwasher and washing machine only when full. When it’s time to replace them, buy a water- and energy-efficient model. Remember, saving water saves energy, and saving energy saves water.

6. Consider eating less meat, especially beef. A typical hamburger can take 630 gallons to produce.

7. Buy less stuff in general. Everything takes water to make. So if we buy less, we shrink our water footprint.

8. Recycle plastics, glass, metals, and paper. Buy reusable products rather than throw-always, as it takes water to make most everything.

9. Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth and washing the dishes. Shave a minute or two off your shower time. Millions of people doing even the little things can make big difference.

10. Know the source of your drinking water—the river, lake, or aquifer that supplies your home. Once you know it, you’ll care about it. You just won’t want to waste water.

Being conscious of your personal water consumption or water footprint is the first step in solving this global water crisis. Once change is made at the individual level, tackling the issue at the global level will be a more unified effort. To learn more about global water issues and water conservation, check out the Greeniacs Articles and Guides listed below:

• Scarcity of Water
• Water Privatization
• Water Conservation
• Build a Rainwater Catchment Planter
• Reuse Your Grey Water
Browse all Greeniacs Articles Browse all Greeniacs Guides        Browse all Greeniacs Articles
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1 http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/freshwater/freshwater-crisis
2 http://water.org/learn-about-the-water-crisis/facts/
3 http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/09/arts/09iht-DESIGN11.html
4 http://www.treehugger.com/files/2010/04/unquenchible-americas-water-crisis-
and-what-to-do-about-it-interview.php
5 http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/freshwater/top-ten/





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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 22 June 2011 )

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