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ENVIRONMENT

WATER

UNDERSTAND THE CHALLENGE

Clean drinking water is becoming more difficult to obtain: our world's ever-growing population demand for clean water competes with corporations that buy up water rights, and industrial and agricultural activities that pollute the water.

GET THE FACTS

  1. The per capita water availability on our planet is steadily decreasing—from over 6000 cubic meters in 1947, to a projected <1150 cubic meters by 2050—which the World Health Organization considers insufficient for healthy living.

  2. What water we have is being severely polluted from all directions—floating plastic and trash, industrial waste, mining effluent, waste from factory farms and fish farms, as well as agricultural pesticides and fertilizers.

  3. Once these contaminants reach our groundwater, these ancient sources of water can remain unsafe and unusable for decades or longer, further reducing the supply of available water.

  4. Eighty percent of ocean pollution originates on land. Streams and rivers carry contaminants from farms, factories, and cities into our bays and estuaries and eventually the ocean.

  5. Consuming (or living in) polluted water causes illness and death among humans, animals, fish, insects and even plant life.

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Enjoying Clean Water

BE A PART OF THE SOLUTION

  1. Protest corporations like Nestlé that are monopolizing water rights to fill plastic bottles; contact government officials by phone, email or letter to voice your opposition.

  2. Support organic and regenerative farmers that work to create healthier soils that hold water more efficiently, therefore need to be watered less.

  3. Avoid buying and using plastic wherever possible. Use refillable water bottles instead!

  4. Use environmentally-friendly cleaning products, including detergent, dish soap, and even shampoo.

  5. Choose (or make your own!) environmentally-friendly garden products, including non-toxic weed sprays and natural fertilizers.

  6. Don't put expired medicine or prescriptions in the trash or flush them down the toilet. Most pharmacies will take back these items at no cost.

  7. Conserve water at home: take shorter showers, wash large loads of laundry and full dishwashers, install water-saving shower heads and toilets, turn off the tap while you brush your teeth, and use a broom or ShopVac rather than a hose to clean sidewalks, driveways and patios.

  8. Fix leaking taps, faucets, and toilets.

  9. Conserve water in your garden: choose drought-tolerant plants, apply water by hand or drip irrigation, water early or late in the day to avoid evaporation.

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