Change Yourself in Order to Change Others

Water is the most important chemical compound on earth. It comprises about 70% of our planet’s surface and 70% of our body weight. All of our body’s biochemistry takes place in the aqueous medium that we are. Without water, all of our life processes would come to a halt. It is the dominant and most essential chemical in all forms of life.

 

As mentioned in the previous blog, about 97% of our water is in oceans and seas; about 2% is in glaciers (this is changing quickly); and we are left with 1% for human use. These ratios have been relatively unchanged for millennia. Our exponential population growth and pollution of available water make it probable that we will have a water shortage crisis within this decade. This is likely to begin in Africa, since that continent has the largest number of countries in which water is scarce. According to Sandra Postel, author of Facing Water Scarcity, in addition to Africa, there are nine Middle Eastern countries that are facing water-shortages; since these share rivers, the risk of armed conflict over water rights could occur. Similar issues are beginning to occur in the developed world where there are restrictions on water use in many major cities. These are a result of landscape use and allowing development to outpace infrastructure.

 

Water is not consumed or used in the usual sense of that term. Unlike oil, coal, lumber, and food, water actually is recycled when it is used. It is stored between uses in surface water aggregates (oceans, lakes, etc.). Its storage forms are solid, liquid, and vapor, and water shifts among these as conditions dictate. Water we use today has been used for eons by others. So, while we will not exhaust our supply, neither will we increase it. We are doomed to recycle and fight about it. Arguments among ranch owners over riparian rights in the American West during our expansion in the nineteenth century, are rapidly becoming international and global issues. Our need to conserve now has become obvious.

 

Let us consider conservation. The arguments are continual over who owns what water; should we consider the downstream users (Yes! We must.); which users should have priority; should we restrict or modify development (It will become inescapable.); and it goes on. At the moment, it comes down to us. We who use water now and wonder what to tell our grandchildren. There is no doubt that climatic differences and our changing climate will require regional water-use regulations. Outdoor water features and inappropriate watering practices are primary sources of waste. Control of this water waste will require a concerted educational effort directed to all of us.

 

Indoor water use per person seems to be about the same across geographic and social strata, no matter where it is studied. Outdoor use varies according the climate, with warmer climates having more use. This use represents the best opportunity to conserve. We have begun this, and it slowly is taking hold, but educational efforts by local governments, agricultural organizations, and schools must be not only sustained, but augmented. Such programs must be based on current science and technology and made relevant to the local conditions. This relevance is important since local homeowners will be able to implement conservation methods and see their results immediately. This establishes positive feedback loops.  All of this is only possible if there is the political will to do so, and that requires active participation in the community. Elected officials must be pressed to consider our local environmental needs, to support conservation in a visible and vocal manner, and be held to account at election time.

 

There are many things we can do, and they are readily available on-line, at nurseries, water departments, and from landscape architects and contractors. There also are landscape workshops provided by many of the aforementioned sources and parks and recreation departments. If our children are educated about the importance of conservation, we will solve the problem within a generation. The solution to conservation is education. This solution is immediately available, and we are it.

 

There are other considerations, such as shortening showers, recycling grey water for irrigation, desalination, and these are being done – although we need more of it. But the best way to conserve is not to waste, as described above, and that involves all of us doing something locally.

 

What about preservation? This largely comes down to preventing pollution. The Clean Water Act in 1972 set standards for water in this country and limited pollution that can enter waterways. Other countries have similar legislation. This is fine if there are adequate water treatment facilities. The EPA does a good job of patrolling industry, but waste still is dumped into surface water. As with conservation, the task of stopping pollution comes down to us.

 

Here are several things we can do;

·      Reduce our consumption of single use plastics. It is the biggest contributor to ocean pollution. Microplastics are almost microscopic in size and, when they enter surface water, are ingested by fish and marine animals. We discussed this in earlier blogs, but it bears repeating here. There are laws and regulations nationally and internationally, but compliance is poor, especially in the developing world. What we can do here is to recycle and reuse plastic materials and use biodegradable products instead, whenever possible. Everything that was said above regarding the importance of political solutions for conservation applies here. Personal example is equally important, as is education. We must educate the next generation so they can begin to reverse the damage we have done.

·      Washing clothes and dishes sends soap and cleaning chemicals into wastewater. Use non-toxic products.

·      We have over fished our oceans and our fisheries and wild fish stocks are being depleted. Purchase fish that is farmed or caught sustainably.

·      Participate in cleanup efforts along beaches or rivers. These are organized frequently by many groups and are well publicized.

 

There is much to be done and we cannot wait for others to do it. We have been participants in the creation of this problem and must be a part of the solution.