World Water Day is part of a global mission to get safer water for all. All of our religions and traditions teach us about the sanctity of water.
Water is precious and vital to all life on our planet, but there is only a limited amount of it. We are at a crucial tipping point where usage far exceeds supply. As our population grows, more and more people are using up this limited resource. Water efficiency is about reducing waste and thinking about the water we all use, changing bad habits into good habits.
Today is a call to action, to be a part of the solution of our ever-diminishing water resources. Here is a just a small selection of practical tasks you may consider.
In the workplace:
There are many benefits to reducing water consumption in the workplace. It can help with more than just cost. It can help you comply with current and future environmental legislation, reduce your workplace’s carbon footprint, and improve environmental performance.
1. Invest in efficient flush toilets.
2. Invest in automatic or sensor taps.
At home:
The majority of water usage in the home is done indoors. This includes toilets, personal washing, kitchen and clothes washing.
1. Turn off the tap while you brush and fill a glass for mouth rinsing.
2. Take a shorter shower - some shower heads use as much as 5 gallons per minute.
In the garden:
Thousands of litres of rainwater fall on the average roof every year. Collecting this water and using it on your garden is better for your lawn and plants, as well as the environment.
1. Attaching a trigger nozzle on your hosepipe. This will halve the amount of water used.
2. Use a watering can. You can also cut water use by 33% by watering plants manually instead of using automatic sprinklers.
Diet:
A worldwide change in diet could save enough water to feed an additional 1.8 billion people.
1. Eat less meat - Rearing animals for meat is incredibly water-intensive. The production of one kilogram of beef requires 16 thousand litres of water!
2. Steam vegetables - This uses less water than boiling and helps to preserve nutrients.
Educate others
The best way for your Cooperation Circle and community members to curb water consumption is through awareness.
1. Educate others about efficient water practices, and spread this information to as many people and other communities as possible.
2. Create your own water saving plan and share your success.
There is no better time than now to take the plunge and give our source of life the respect it deserves. Happy World Water Day!
Kiran Bali MBE JP - Global Council Chair