Being water conscious
Water knows no boundaries and as it flows over the earth’s surface it is used by communities of plants, animals and humans in order to survive.
We all know how the Geology lesson goes about the Earth being covered in 70% of water, whereby 97% is salt water and 3% fresh water. We are also well aware that only 1% of the fresh water is available for life on Earth, whilst the remaining 2% is found in the form of ice at the poles. What we also well know is the water cycle and how we had to study that illustration to be ready for Friday’s weekly Geology test.
But…
If we all know this. If we all attended Geology class. Isn’t it then ironic how:
- Every day 2 million tonnes of sewage and other effluents drain into the world’s water;
- Industries discharge an estimated 300-400 mega tonnes of waste into water bodies every year;
- 90% of sewage in developing countries is discharged untreated directly into water bodies;
- About 80% of the world’s wastewater is dumped, largely untreated, back into the environment, polluting rivers, lakes, and oceans;
- Every year we add 25 million tons of plastic to the ocean, and as of 2022, every square mile of our ocean contains over 45,000 individual pieces of plastic.
How did we get from being educated in school about how precious water is, to being the very same ones who pollute the only 1% we have to survive from?
This calls for drastic change. Change in our knowledge and understanding of the Earth’s water resources, change in our behaviour, change in our decision making, and change in our attitudes towards responsibility and accountability.
Being water conscious simply means that you think of your impact when it comes to water. Making conscious decisions towards protecting water resources and continuously educating yourself and others about the responsibilities towards it.
Sources:
