Some of us have made a conscious effort to stop eating meat and dairy, live without plastic and only wear clothes that are sustainably manufactured.
The reason is a simple one: some of us have finally accepted the fact that climate change is really happening, and how it’s going to affect us and our children.
2019 has made India, too, face one very real fact: a water crisis that is being touted as the country's worst. Chennai, a major metropolitan city, ran out of water. According to reports, Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat launched a conservation campaign to tackle the water crisis and stressed on the importance of water conservation, something the whole country desperately needs.
Experts warn that Delhi and Bengaluru could face a similar face; 21 Indian cities will run out of water by 2020, reads a report. This means only one thing: we need to save water. Because your life literally depends on it.
That being said, it can get overwhelming to sort through all the information and figure out what you can do to help save water, but we’re here to help.
You don’t have to know everything or do everything to make a difference. Start small, with your own personal water consumption, and take it from there. Here are nine easy ways to get started.
1. Calculate your water consumption.
It’s not an exact step but download a water calculator on your phone. This will give you an insight in to your personal water consumption, and you'll see instant results from doing your bit.
2. Turn off the sink while brushing your teeth.
It doesn’t seem like much, but depending on how old it is, your tap handle gives out seven to eight litres per minute. If you brush your teeth at least twice a day, you could save 2490 litres of water per year or more.
3. Stop using your water basin as an ashtray or waste basket.
Every cigarette butt or tissue you flush away also flushes away up to 18 litres of water.
4. Let your laundry and dishes pile up .
All neat freaks can throw as much shade at this but one way to conserve water, in a manner some people might even enjoy, is by letting your dirty clothes and dishes pile up. Every time you run the washing machine you use 35 litres of water. So, think about that and thank that pile of clothes in your room for helping you save water.
5. Eat less meat.
Meat has a larger water footprint than plant-based food. One report found that the livestock industry as a whole uses up about eight per cent of the world’s water and it contributes to pollution. Plus, studies indicate lower levels of anger and frustration among vegetarians, so not eating meat would do you a world of good.
6. Stop buying bottled water.
Yes it happens. You forget your water bottle, so you just go buy one packaged drinking water. No one’s perfect, of course, but if you really stay on top of it, you can probably cut down on those occasions.