EARTH DAY / AQUA DAY

The UN’s March 2009 World Water Report has suggested that Earth would be more appropriately called “Aqua” -- because 2/3 of the planet’s surface is covered by water…

…but only 0.0075 % of Earth’s water is available freshwater for consumption.
While our fresh water resources are finite, let us remember they are renewable! It’s time to reduce our water consumption and use new technology to recycle “grey water” for gardening, flushing toilets, hosing floors, etc.

The average American consumes 100-175 gallons water/day. The average African family uses 5 gallons/day.

NWNL is now seeking funding for its upcoming “Length of the Mara River” expedition in East Africa. Resulting documentation will show that severe water extraction and headwaters’ deforestation threatens humans, wildlife and our reservoirs of clean fresh water -- in the Mara -- and in all watersheds.

Let us know of any funding suggestions or sources for this critical expedition!

Happy Earth / Aqua Day from NWNL!

THE SPIRITUAL VALUE OF OUR FRESH WATER RESOURCES:

“When despair for the world grows in me and I wake in the night at the least sound in fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be, I go lie down where the wood drake rests in his beauty on the water and where the great heron feeds. I come into the peace of wild things who do not tax their lives with forethought of grief. I come into the presence of still water.“ 
--Wendell Berry

How To Honor Earth/Aqua Day

-- Teach our children to reduce their water consumption with us.

-- Install low-flow showerheads and toilets.

-- Only run dishwashers and laundry if full.

-- Fight development sprawl, new highway projects and impermeable surfaces that aggravate flooding and pollution.

-- Contribute to stewardship agencies and invest in green funds. Think of your watershed as a major asset to be managed.

-- Tell your elected officials how you’re involved in watershed and climate change issues. Then ask what they’re doing.

-- Share hope for the future with your children because they are worried.

-- And for fun, remember the ‘70’s slogan in NYC: “Shower with a friend!”

AN EARTH /AQUA DAY CHALLENGE

QUESTION: Should we all consider a more vegetarian type of diet?
FACT: The virtual water content of 2.2 pounds of meat = 16,907 quarts of water.
DISCUSSION: We “eat” more water than we drink. Agriculture consumes 70% of Earth’s fresh water. Yet, beef production requires four times the amount of water than does wheat production. Recent trends in global eating habits reflect increasing consumption of meat and dairy products that carry high virtual-water content. Can we reduce our beef and dairy consumption, as well as our water consumption? (Information source: UNESCO Courier, Number 3: “The Water We Eat.”)

NWNL | 330 E 79th St, New York, NY 10075 | | 212.861.6961 | www.nowater-nolife.org |

Alison M. Jones, Project Director   ·   330 East 79th Street   ·   New York, NY 10075 USA
Home Page   ·   Phone/Fax: 212-861-6961

Website content © No Water No Life®, LLC. All rights reserved.