Protecting Water: Climate Links and Everyday Actions
You’ve probably had a sip just earlier. Or used it to make another brew.
I never go long without it.
I’m talking about water! 💦
👉 Water celebrations
Water is so precious that several awareness events focus on it:
Water Saving Week — dates vary, usually in May.
World Water Week — August.
World Water Day — March.
Water = Life. Yet 1 in 4 people lacks safe drinking water.
👉 Water facts
All living things need water.
Water is present in liquid, solid, and gas forms.
71% of the Earth is water.
Of all water, 97% is salty and only 3% is fresh.
Fresh water exists in lakes, rivers, streams, underground, and locked in ice, snow, and glaciers.
💡 Did you know most of today’s water has been here since Earth formed billions of years ago? Only a tiny amount escapes. We could be drinking the same water dinosaurs drank! 🦕
👉 Water & climate change
Climate change strongly affects the water cycle:
Floods contaminate water.
Droughts lead to wildfires and energy-intensive water pumping or treatment.
Melting ice sheets raise sea levels, increasing salt levels in ground and freshwater.
Melting glaciers reduce long-term freshwater availability.
🤝 With climate change, we must unite around water
Flood solutions include:
Restoring mangroves and wetlands.
Directing flood water.
Creating surface dams to slow run-off.
Collecting flood water to increase groundwater storage.
Groundwater is naturally filtered by soil and rocks, but pollutants remain. Testing and protection are essential.
Other solutions:
Capture rainwater, especially in dry areas.
Adapt agriculture: drip irrigation, organic matter to retain soil moisture, native crops, and fewer water-intensive crops.
Reuse wastewater.
Push for strong water policies.
Increase cross-border water agreements — only 24 countries have shared-water agreements.
Learn from water-focused events, blogs, and podcasts. For example, EU Green Week will host “Green sponges for water and climate resilience” on 29 May in Brussels.
🙌 What can you do?
Take shorter showers.
Fully load the dishwasher and washing machine to save energy and money.
Use cooking water to degrease dirty dishes.
Collect rainwater to water indoor plants or save for hot weather.
Pour leftover drinking water into a kettle for tea.
Fix leaks quickly!
…And if you want to read more about what I do in the climate space, then please do check out my services.
Sources: UN, NASA, USEP, IPCC, Farm Aid, Water is Awesome, Britannica, EU Green Week, Castle Water, Our World in Data