Water is extremely important – not just to humans, but to all life on Earth!
water is fundamental to survival
Water is essential to keeping a balanced ecosystem. Without it, we would not survive. Water is necessary for drinking, cooking, cleaning, and maintaining good health. It’s crucial for farming and food production. It is home to over one million animal species. In addition, plants need the nutrients in water to carry out photosynthesis and produce oxygen – something that is essential for everyone!
how much water is there?
Water may seem deceptively abundant, but it is scarce. Although nearly three-quarters of the Earth is covered in water, only 3% is fresh water. Of that 3%, the majority (two-thirds) is frozen in glaciers, inaccessible. That leaves only one-third or 1% of Earth’s water available for human use! With the average person using 140 liters of water per day, two-thirds of the world could face water shortages by 2025.
Many states in the U.S., such as California, Nevada, Texas, and Arizona, are facing droughts. A lack of water results not only in drinking water shortages, but also in dehydrated crops which leads to food shortages, negative effects on ecosystems, and eventual economic decline.
what can you do to help?
Don’t waste water! Recycle it when you can.
Conserving water can be easy. It can also save you energy and money! Here are some ways you can help:
- Take shorter showers, use water-saving shower heads, or install low-flow faucet aerators to reduce splashing.
- Run full loads of laundry, or use a high-efficiency washing machine.
- Use a dishwasher instead of hand-washing dishes. Make sure to run full loads!
- Use a dual-flush toilet or an adjustable toilet flapper to limit how much water each flush uses. For the truly adventurous, you might even try a composting toilet! Another easy way: place a plastic bottle filled with rocks or water in your toilet tank. Because less water is needed to fill the tank, this can save up to 10 gallons of water per day!
- Collect rainwater and use it for watering plants.
- Fix leaky pipes, faucets, and toilets.
Without water, life would not exist. That’s why water conservation is extremely important. Not only does it help the planet, but it also can lower energy bills and save you money!
Sources: World Wildlife Fund; Eartheasy.com
