My biggest surprise from the readings this week is that people in developed countries take water for granted. It is a subconscious thing because our planet is surrounded with blue liquid, and we’ve been used to freely accessible water for all of our lives. Now, I feel that not giving water a price seems like a really unwise move - when people realize it’s true value, it will be too late for humanity.
Today’s stories shared by Professor Chan showed us that governments and policy makers can influence environments to change in either direction, and push the fate of water towards sustainability or doom. Thus, it’s so crucial for decision-making authorities to take into account how to keep water accessible and clean and available to people. I also think that documentaries like the Brave Blue World are i because due to Netflix wide reach, there will be more people that learn about the current situation of water and become aware of ways they can start conserving. To me, the documentary acts as an advertisement for the technologies because they’re making themselves seen by the viewers, which might include potential sponsors; they’re promoting their product to every person who watch this documentary.
I envision a future where the drinking water supply in never depleted, not because we’ve found an aquifer so large it could sustain millions of generations, but because every person understands the value of water and takes constant action to conserve their use. In order to achieve that, we must make people feel the pressure or fear of not having water. Cape Town’s Day Zero being postponed is the best example that we can all learn from. Propaganda is necessary to spread this across humanity and make as many people as possible see that if we take collective action, the most dire situations can be saved.
Governments should consider environmental issues like water availability as a constant priority, but that doesn’t mean that individuals can be lavish and wasteful when it comes to water! Here are some methods that I think everyone (you too!) can start adopting today:
1. If it’s yellow, let it mellow; if it’s brown, flush it down (this is a phrase that I’m borrowing from a retreat; the indoor toilets are only flushed after you 💩)
2. Close the tap when you’re washing your hands with soap, and turn it back on when you’re going to rinse your hands
3. Take faster showers! (I had friends tell me they think about life when they shower, and that takes a loooooong time)
4. When it rains, save up some for watering your plants!
If these are not that realistic, please let me know what your suggestions are in the comments!
Perhaps many developed countries do not consider water as a necessary commodity because they do not lack it, so increasing supply alone will not solve the problem, and putting a reasonable price on water is central to managing water sustainability.
I think what you're saying about how individuals can contribute to water is not only logical but also completely easy to do! Even everyone can do almost all of them. But it would be even better if there was some publicity or education about these ideas so that more people could see them and start taking action. I would also add, if I may, the importance of education in the provision of fresh water resources, which can be publicized to make the behavior of these individuals more fully justified!
I totally agree that governments should consider environmental issues as a priority. especially since the writing is on the wall.
You've listed great suggestions!
These are great suggestions! I think on a wider scale, cities could use grey water for public green spaces instead of our clean drinking water!