It’s World Water Day! (#WorldWaterDay)
Time to think, not only about how how fortunate we are in the US to have access to clean water but to take also a look at our individual Water Footprint ….
Get Started @ the Water Footprint calculator.
This calculator helps you estimate your total water use. You know water comes from the tap, but do you know how much water goes into your sandwich? Your gadgets? The electricity that powers them? Soon you will!
My water use average was 1,823 Gallons/Day. The US Average The US Average is 2,220
I’m a vegetarian, take short showers, water my plants sparingly, have energy and water efficient appliances so I figured my score would be very low. Found out that my virtual water use had a big impact on my score. Virtual water use is what “goes into making the food you eat, the things you buy and the energy you use.”
Eat Less Water: How much water does it take to make your favorite foods?
1 pound of uncooked rice equals 300 gallons of water, 1 chocolate bar equals 449 gallons of water and perhaps the most shocking, 1 pound of butter equals 3,602 gallons of water.
Water facts
- 2.1 Billion people lack a safely managed water delivery service
- By 2040, there will be no drinking water in almost all of India
- 96% of Gaza's water is undrinkable.
- In 2016, 650 million people still lacked clean water
- By 2050, almost 6 billion people will suffer from water shortages
- Globally, the demand for water is projected to increase by 55% between 2000 and 2050.
- Almost 45% of fresh water in US is used in the thermoelectric-power industry to cool electricity-generating equipment
- Food and beverage choices make up about half of our personal water footprints
- Earth is a water planet: three-quarters of the surface is covered by water, and water-rich clouds fill the sky
- Only 2.5% of the water on Earth is freshwater compared to salt water
- 1 In 3 People Worldwide Don't Have Access To A Safe Toilet
Water Burden: A UNICEF Project
Today, women and girls across the world suffer a Water Burden, compared to men and boys. Girls’ education suffers due to time spent fetching water and from lack of water and sanitation in many schools, which can cause absenteeism. Their future prospects suffer. Their health suffers disproportionately during crises. Their lives are put at risk.
Water is a problem. It’s also the answer. The solutions to help girls and women overcome the Water Burden are known, simple and effective. UNICEF’s programs around the world provide accessible, safe water sources, allowing girls to live healthier, more productive, more successful lives.
Want to help empower girls to change the world? It’s not complicated. Fix the Water Burden. Donate today.
Kitchen Table Kibitzing is a community series for those who wish to share part of the evening around a virtual kitchen table with readers of Daily Kos who aren’t throwing pies at one another. Drop by and tell us about your weather, your garden, or what you cooked for supper. Newcomers may notice that many who post diaries and comments in this series already know one another to some degree, but we welcome guests at our kitchen table, and hope to make some new friends as well.