You drink it, you play in it, you're made of it, but do you protect it? While it may seem to be everywhere, our planet's water resources are in danger. By 2030 global demand for water will outstrip our natural supply by 40 percent. That means that in only fifteen years our beautiful planet may not be so blue anymore. Overwhelming? It can be. Critical? Yes. Preventable? You bet.
Less than one percent of our Earth's water is fresh and accessible, and for millions of people, finding access to clean water is a daily challenge. I work at 1% for the Planet, a network that joins businesses all over the world that commit to donating one percent of sales to nonprofits focusing on a variety of environmental issues just like this, and we're working every day to help increase that water percentage. I'm proud to see the impact that our network is making, but it's not just the businesses that have a role to play in protecting our planet. YOUR efforts matter just as much - if not more - and there are many ways that you can use your power of one to make a difference.
The way I see it, individuals are the ripples that create waves of change, and I encourage everyone to utilize that power. So how can you have a positive impact on water access and quality? You can join 1% for the Planet's member businesses, nonprofits and ambassadors in pledging to "Make Waves," by being mindful of your everyday habits and making easy changes that lead to a big difference. Start small with four simple steps:
•Reduce your plastic use. Better yet, stay away from it altogether. Swap your plastic bags and bottles for reusable ones and be aware of where microplastics exist in your everyday life. They're everywhere, including microbeads in toothpaste and facewash and microfibers shed from clothing in the washing machine, and they're polluting our water. Read labels before you buy and shop smart.
•Give a dam. There are over 40,000 obsolete dams left in America, blocking our rivers and preventing salmon and other wild fish to return to their natural spawning grounds. Connectivity and cleanliness are vital to healthy ecosystems, sustainable food sources and wildlife, and idle dams impede this connection. Check out DamNation for more information on the issue, sign the petition and see how you can get involved!
•Live on the edge. In my mind, there's no better reminder of our planet's natural resources like long walks on the beach, weekends at the lakeshore and time spent at water's edges. As you spent your summer in the sand, take time to think about the life the water around you sustains and be mindful of your impact on it. Pick up trash that you see and educate yourself on ways that you can help protect these resources - otherwise, they won't be there for much longer.
•Worship your water. You probably don't realize it, but seventy percent of fresh water is used for agriculture. Where does it go? Livestock. It can take up to 2,500 gallons of water to produce a single pound of beef. Compare that to the mere 220 gallons of water it takes to produce a pound of Californian soy tofu. Try lowering your impact by going meatless once a week with a Meatless Monday party and always opt for sustainable seafood. Encourage friends and family to do it with you to help create a habit you can stick to.
As with anything, it's the small changes that lead to the next big step. Take notice of the natural beauty that's around you every single day and remember the role you play in affecting lasting change. Help us Make Waves, because our planet needs you.