Photo Courtesy of Bonfire Health
Blue Water
Enjoy the water—at the beach or in the pool. But increasingly, having enough water for the basics of life is an issue. Drought is real. The effects of climate change are upon us. The cost to our water systems from our development and excessive usage threatens all of life. What can we do? Here are some Tips, but the overall message is be aware and act now.
Tips for July
Reduce your lawn and you reduce the volume of water consumed by watering grass plus the amount of chemicals poured into the soil. Reduce your lawn and you conserve water needed for food crops and habitat survival during drought. Reduce your lawn and you save the lives of the necessary microbes that feed the soil that feeds creation. Reduce your lawn and you don’t have to mow as much.
Creation Justice ident
You can easily save energy, water, and time. Just run your dishwasher with it as full as possible. Handwashing results in using more water (up to 27 gallons vs. 3 for the machine). Heating the water for those extra gallons is an unnecessary energy cost to your wallet and the environment. The dishwasher is also more hygienic because it heats the smaller amount of water to a degree your hands—and germs—can’t stand.
As the predicted effects of climate change are increasing, the time for being able to slow, stop, or reverse the trend is shrinking. Political will is essential to muster resources and action. Speak up now. Email or call your lawmakers. Sign petitions. Support candidates who will fight for planet and people.
Vacation at the beach! The ocean is beautiful, but … look closely and litter mars the view. Along with your beach gear, take some bags and pick up the trash you see. Perhaps other beach goers will pick up the idea from your example.
One couple got permission to plant to plant three trees in their condo’s common ground. They watered the new plantings regularly. Other residents stopped by to watch and chat. That gave the couple an opportunity to tell their neighbors why planting and caring for trees is important for the planet and people.
Whales are the new “canaries.” Opening their mouth to filter the ocean water for food, they are getting plastic instead—and dying. Oceans and marine life need our help. Take action—sign petitions, make calls, use social media—to pressure corporations, cruise lines, and local, district, and federal governments to stop plastic pollution.
Water is life, yet many waterways are choking with pollution. One church’s men’s group worked with a local watershed association and removed 40 bags of trash and even discarded tires and bedsprings. They then planted 100 trees and bushes along the edge of the river. As a church or as individuals, plan a day to volunteer some TLC to a waterway nearby.
Drought threatens the food supply for everyone. Conserving water is something all of us can do. Calculate your water footprint with this tool (watercalculator.org) so you have a baseline of usage. The calculator also gives practical tips for reducing use.
Seventy percent of water usage is for food. Raising livestock is much more water intensive than growing plants. Shift to more meatless meals. Commit to using up leftovers and minimizing food waste. More people making these choices will conserve water resources for all.
Polyester—even recycled polyester—fabrics release microplastics when washed. Those enter the water systems and then the food chain, harming marine life and ultimately humans. Choose your clothing carefully. Wash what you have less frequently and more gently.