World Water Day

Water is the essence of life, however, only about 1% of all water is available to sustain the world's human population, animals the globe over, and a myriad of freshwater aquatic ecosystems.

World Water Day became a reality in 1992 at a United Nations Conference on Environment and Development. Each year, World Water Day focuses on a different theme. The objective of World Water Day 2011 is to focus international attention on the impact of rapid urban population growth, industrialization and uncertainties caused by climate change, conflicts and natural disasters on urban water systems.

With events in the spotlight throughout the world, many people are seeing what they can do to conserve water. Here are a few ideas courtesy of National Geographic.

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.
4. Fix leaky faucets. All those wasted drops add up—sometimes to 10-25 gallons a day.
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. Eat a bit less meat, especially beef. A typical hamburger can take 630 gallons to produce.
7. Buy less stuff.  Everything takes water to make. So if we buy less, we shrink our water footprint.
8. Recycle plastics, glass, metals, and paper. Buy re-usable products rather than throw-aways, as it takes water to make almost 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 makes a 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.

Also, why not shower together?!

My husband and i were watching a comic on TV last night. He was talking about how the first world looks at water, and what it would be like to have someone from a remote tribe in Africa come to your house. In this particular anicdote he was talking about a villager whoes job it was to go get water. This man had to walk 3 miles each way to bring back water for his village. The comic pointed out that our toilets would look like water holes to this man.

But it got more ridiculous from there... not drinking out of the kitchen tap because that was used to wash little bits of food off of our plates before they were put into the dishwasher which used more water to get rid of more little bits of food.

We take a lot of things forgranted, and fresh potable water i would have to say tops that list. I know that i will be doing my part today trying my hardest to conserve every last drop.