Clean Water

 

Men and women, girls and boys, and animals around the world depend on clean water and clean air for good health and their very existence every day. But how much is really left for human consumption? How much is drinkable, free for human use, clean? Everyone seems to have their own answer to this question. Estimates of available freshwater are as low as .01 percent with 97 % of that being underground. 

We can’t begin to comprehend this infinitesimal amount when we take a look at the vast oceans around us, the snow capped mountains, the huge glaciers on the poles. Every time we turn on our faucets water flows freely and we are satisfied and feel no ill effects of real or perceived shortage of a most valuable natural resource. 

 So with an estimated grand total of 5.3×10¹⁶ gallons (UN estimate) of available freshwater on the planet how do we learn to feel the impact of our consumption habits on humanity in general? We begin by unlearning our wasteful behaviors, practices and routines and begin to build a conservation minded, green minded lifestyle. It all begins at home, in our little niche of the world, in the one place where we can have an impact, any impact at all, no matter how small. You are not going to change anybody else no matter how in-their-face you are about water facts. But you can begin to change you. One cup saved every day by every human every year adds up to trillions of gallons. 

We can begin by just realizing that there is a shortage. Not of water but of clean, un-polluted, available, potable water fit for human consumption, economic activities and life itself. 

Most facts such as; 

An estimated 70% or available freshwater globally is used for irrigating crops.

About 500-600 gallons of water are needed to grow enough food for one person for one day. Millions of pounds of human waste are dumped into waterways around the world every day.

 A couple of million children die every year from contaminated water.

99% of all water on earth is locked up in glaciers, filled with salt in the oceans, polluted, trapped underground or otherwise unavailable.

Etc. etc………. 

…..do not scare most people into change and never will. 

Most human activity does not affect other humans, at least that is the perception of most people, and your perception is your reality. And therein lies the problem. Until we all, each of us, as individuals, change just a little bit of ourselves can we change the global picture. We have to step back and take a look at the forest but live our lives in the trees. 

Keep on coming back here for more interesting facts about water and together we can change (Me Too).