" The difference between what we do and what we are capable of doing would suffice to solve most of the world’s problems."
Mahatma Gandhi
22nd March each year is International World Water Day. It is a means of focusing attention on the importance of freshwater and advocating a way of managing freshwater resources in a sustainable manner . The theme for 2016 is Water and Jobs
Water is the essential building block of life. But it is more than just essential to quench thirst or protect health; water is vital for creating jobs and supporting economic, social, and human development.
Today, half of the world's workers - 1.5 billion people - work in water-related sectors. Moreover, nearly all jobs, regardless of the sector, depend directly on water. Yet, despite the indelible link between jobs and water, millions of people whose livelihoods depend on water are often not recognized or protected by basic labor rights.
" Water flows through the three pillars of sustainable development – economic, social and environmental. Water resources, and the essential services they provide, are among the keys to achieving poverty reduction, inclusive growth, public health, food security, lives of dignity for all and long-lasting harmony with Earth’s essential ecosystems." Ban Ki-moon Secretary-General of the United Nations
As per predictions India will be facing moderate to severe water stress by the year 2030.
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How much water in a day does an average Indian use ?
Indians use 137 litres/ day / person as follows :
Drinking 3 litres
Cooking 4 litres
Bathing 20 litres
Flushing 20 litres
Washing clothes 25 litres
Washing utensils 20 litres
Gardening 25 litres
We studied in school that the earth consists of 75% water and 25% land....but how much water of the world’s water is fresh ? Just 2.5%
.....And out of the 2.5% ......,
- 60% is trapped in glaciers and ice caps
- 10% is found in surface water like lakes and rivers
- 30% is found in ground water , and some of that is deep and out of reach .
Of all the fresh water we take out of the lakes, rivers and ground water ......70% is used in agriculture , 22% is used for industrial processes , 8% is pumped into the cities and homes for drinking washing and watering
So what can I do to reduce my water consumption ? How can I become a part of the solution instead of continuing to be part of the problem?
Take a pledge today to reduce your Water Footprint
Tips for Water Conservation
Easy things you can do today to conserve water
· Start with yourself: Measure the daily water that you use and try to reduce the amount.
· Examine the usage pattern of water in your family or in any one family. Educate them to use water with more care and efficiency.
· Replace leaking taps at home.
· Install shower outlet for kitchen sink. It will reduce the amount of water used for cleaning utensils.
· Remove any bathtub you may have. (Use it to plant vegetables!)
Simple things you can do to conserve water
· Take the initiative to implement rainwater harvesting in your house or apartment block.
· Take a sponge bath instead of a shower.
Things worth doing to conserve water
· In washbasins, replace ordinary taps with self-closing ‘railway’ taps. Or, remove the taps and keep a bucket of water with a mug.
· On a regular basis, check the public taps and pipelines in your area and arrange to plug the leaks.
· Use drip irrigation for your garden.
· Buy a front-loading washing machine. It uses 40 % less water than the top-loading one.
Great things you can do to conserve water
- Recycle bathroom and kitchen water (grey water) using natural methods like planted filters. (This requires space.)
- Install a composting toilet in your house. Collect the urine separately, dilute and apply on plants. The solid matter will decompose in the toilet and give you organic manure. (This requires commitment, but many have already taken this action in India and elsewhere.)
Prof Rajagopalan has written text books on environmental education / studies for schools and colleges covering the syllabus of NCERT and UGC guidelines. These books carries a wealth of knowledge for all of us and is extremely "Reader-friendly". Each chapter gives practical advice on "What can I do to make a difference?" , " How can I learn by doing?" , "What are the related topics" , "What are the deeper issues that goes beyond the book? "and" Where can I find more information ? "
His latest book "Environmental studies,,,from crisis to cure " is meant for undergraduates of all disciplines. Assuming very little background in mathematics or science, it gives a balanced presentation of the major issues and concerns related to the environment.
This book will also be useful for those taking the UPSC Civil Services Examinations, since it covers the ecology/environment topics of the Preliminary and Main Examinations.
Further info :
1, "Bengaluru may have to be evacuated in a decade if water crisis persists"
2.http://www.unwater.org/worldwaterday/about/en/
3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWw8WWto7vQ&list=PLNk3iNYsJ3UDQ-ktULY92b1JaNBZaTER8
4, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5HByQ9iGEkQ&index=19&list=PLNk3iNYsJ3UDQ-ktULY92b1JaNBZaTER8
5, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxfEVXNm_-4&list=PLVe09oW_qkWIsvf7kECq1IoGrl_uF63UC