World Water Day 2015

 This photo from a recent trip to California captures an image of a state of which more than 80% is in severe drought.  We saw at least 3 stranded boats in former ponds, lakes or river beds.  Please read some stark water facts and statistics below.  Thanks to many organizations for fact finding.

To acknowledge World Water Day here are some Water Facts

Water accounts for approximately two-thirds of the human body and is responsible for the proper functioning of many health systems needed for survival, including the brain.  70% of the earth is water - but less than 1% is drinkable.
Sadly, 9 million people will die this year from lack of access to clean water.

 https://www.hands4others.org/

In many countries children, particularly girls, are responsible for collecting water. Carrying heavy water containers over long distances is exhausting and can lead to long-term damage to children’s heads, necks and spines. Many children are frequently absent from school because they are collecting water or they are sick with water-related diseases.
http://www.wateraid.org/us/the-water-story/the-crisis

America consumes more water per person than any other country. Worldwide consumption is up, too, prompting concerns for the future.
http://www.facethefactsusa.org/facts/could-fresh-water-become-scarce-us

Water Facts
Water scarcity affects every continent and affects 4 out of every 10 people (World Health Organization)
Demand in the U.S. has tripled in the past 30 years while the population has grown only 50% (Goldman Sachs)
20% of clean water is lost due to leaks (EPA)
Moving and treating water uses 19% of California’s electricity and 30% of its natural gas (California Energy Commission)
Water related diseases are the leading cause of child death, killing 4,500 children per day (UNICEF)
Over 80% of US waterways are contaminated by medications (US Geological Survey)

Here are some ways we can help others and ourselves.

In addition to saving money on your utility bill, water conservation helps prevent water pollution in nearby lakes, rivers and local watersheds.
http://eartheasy.com/live_water_saving.htm

http://thewaterproject.org/water_conservation_tips



You can calculate your water footprint.



http://www.waterfootprint.org/?page=files/home

http://www.home-water-works.org/calculator

 Overall, the world is using 9,087 billion cubic meters of water per year. China, India and the U.S. consumed the highest annual totals: 1,207 billion, 1,182 billion and 1,053 billion cubic meters, respectively, followed by Brazil at 482 billion. But the water consumed per person in these and other countries varies considerably, due primarily to higher living standards or widespread waste among consumers. The U.S. had the world's highest per capita water footprint, at 2,842 cubic meters per annum. Meat consumption accounts for 30 percent of the American figure, and sugar consumption is responsible for another 15 percent. In India, where few people consume much meat, the individual footprint is only 1,089 cubic meters a year. The global annual average per capita is 1,385 cubic meters.

My FREE water education guide, Waste Not A Drop (PDF) with music resources is available for download at    http://www.earthmama.org .

 Blessed World Water Week to you.  Joyce