Why reduce our water usage?
We all use water in our daily lives. Water is the single most important thing for all biological organisms to survive and thrive, so it may seem somewhat counterintuitive to restrain our water usage. Yet we hear this all the time, with the local and larger-scale governments all over the world stressing the importance of water conservation and why this is needed. Today, I will be speaking to the various reasons behind this, and why it truly takes each and every one of us to act for the benefit of our community.
Global warming is a real threat and poses very serious challenges to many places around the world. With artificial greenhouse gases produced by cities and factories, the atmosphere of our planet is “thickened” in a way that causes more heat from the sunlight to be trapped by the gases, thus increasing the global temperature worldwide. This is a trend that started during the Industrial Revolution in Europe, and continued, only to be aggravated, in the centuries until now.
With global warming also comes desertification, as seen in many parts around the world which are dry and not as moist. These regions are known to possess a semi-arid, or “steppe”, form of climate. They are not settings that resemble the Sahara desert; rather, a diverse form of plants and animals still naturally call them home. Living in Alberta with its relatively drier climate, I can certainly say we also possess at least some semi-arid features in our climate. However, desertification, as caused by rising global temperatures, illustrates the strong effects posed by heat. Warmer temperatures cause less snowfall in many mountains, leading to low water levels in many lakes and rivers. As well, Warmer temperatures cause quicker evaporation rates from rivers and lakes.
This is problematic, precisely since all major populated areas, and rural farms, source their water from lakes and rivers. Here in Calgary, much of our water supply is from the Bow and Elbow Rivers. Therefore, truly everybody has a role to play in preserving our natural freshwater sources, and this begins with reducing our water usage.
Image by Ralph from Pixabay
Finding a balance
In general, the world needs to reduce its water shortage where it can. This is because, across the world, many people are suffering from water shortages, and must hike miles away just for a sip of water. As residents of a developed nation such as Canada, we generally have no trouble gaining access to water for our daily usage. Thus, we should step it up and take the responsibility to conserve water, while maintaining our quality of life. Here are some methods to do this:
- Filling the sink instead of letting the water run freely when doing the dishes is a great option. Put down the plug to the drain, and squeeze some detergent into the clean water in the sink.
- Fix any and all leaks, including that of faucets and toilets. It is said that a leaky faucet can waste more than 3000 gallons each and every year. Preventing leaks is the single most effective method of preventing water from going to waste, yet it does not negatively affect our quality of life whatsoever!
- Use washing machines and dishwashers only with full loads. Just like when there is an electricity shortage in town during the winter, authorities advise toning down on the usage of electricity by shutting down large-voltage household equipment, the same principle can be applied to water. Instead of running the dishwashers every night, perhaps wait a while for the dishes to fill up, then do it. This likely will also reduce the electricity usage by the dishwashers and washing machines as well per household!
- If there is a pool in the backyard, be sure to check out water-saving pool filters! Pools can also potentially use lots of water, and as they are for recreational activities, it is truly important to be sure that we are managing our water usage with pools carefully.
- Cleaning outside the house with a broom, instead of using a hose that actively pumps fresh water, is a great option, and should be taken advantage of whenever possible. Of course, in the case that there is a mess that can only be cleaned with water, feel free to use water then! However, gravels and loose objects, either belong on the road or in the trash bin, so be sure to collect them appropriately!
For even more ways in which we can save water, be sure to check out this government website! The website also contains updated (usually monthly) information about farming conditions, water shortage management information, Alberta Rivers Data, etc.
Conclusion
Thank you all so much for your attention to the importance of responsible water usage! Truly, our world requires better ways of managing water, so that we have enough resources for the regions in the direst need. Be sure to implement these actions right away starting this summer! And remember, whether or not we are directly affected by desertification, it takes everyone around the world to band together and work on conserving water, both for ourselves and for future generations.
Featured Image by Anja from Pixabay