Changing Climate Limits Resources
Climate change is an important issue for humans because it not only affects the climate, but it also affects natural resources. As global average temperatures continue to increase, weather patterns and seasons will become increasingly difficult to predict. This means resources humans have historically relied on, such as water reservoirs, will subside and it will be extremely difficult to predict when they will refill or when new sources will become available. [1]
Temperatures Affect Water Quality
In addition to climate change affecting the quantity of reservoirs, it also has a significant impact on the quality of water as well. As temperatures, waste dumping, and greenhouse gas emissions continue to increase, pathogens that contaminate our water increase as well. This can lead to processes such as eutrophication, which is the overgrowth of bacteria and algae in aquatic systems. Consequences of eutrophication include reduced oxygen, reduced primary production (plant death), and loss of habitat for animals. [2]
Most Water is Used for Industry
While water is an important resource for maintaining all life on Earth, a majority of its uses by humans are centered around industry rather than drinking. In fact, high income countries use around 60% of our water reservoirs for industrial development and maintenance instead of drinking purposes. Some of these industrial processes include fossil fuel production, electricity turbine cooling, and cleaning of machinery. [2]
Project Examples
Collect Rainwater!
This Eco-Grant winning team from Mary Bragg Elementary School set out to conserve water in their community. They sold multiple rain barrels that could be installed at home to collect rainwater. Furthermore, they hosted multiple waste reduction projects which also reduces your water footprint!
Bring Water to Your Community!
Uganda school, St. Roza installed a water filtration system to maximize water efficiency for their garden. In addition, they used their well-earned prize money from the first Water Campaign to build a 40,000 liter well for their school and their community!
More Project Ideas
- Be a Water Saver! Educate and inspire the public to make water efficient changes, like shorter showers and turning off the tap – as well as retro-fit changes like switching to low-flow toilets, shower heads, and faucets, installing graywater systems for laundry and landscape irrigation, installing rain barrels and rain and native gardens.
- Host “Fix-A-Leak” Week: Educate and inspire the public to fix the common household leaks in faucets, shower heads, and irrigation that account for nearly 10,000 gallons of wasted water a year.
- Waterway pollution: educate the public about common water pollutants such as pesticides, fertilizers, micro plastics, petroleum products, pet waste, etc…. And how they can help keep them out of our rivers, lakes and oceans.
- Replace grass or water thirsty plants with a drought resistant garden on your campus or in your community
When you are finished, enter your shared Google folder and locate the Phase 1 Forms worksheet located in the Phase 1 folder. Complete the questions under the Phase 1.1 section.
Resources
Return to Phase 1.1
Move Forward to Phase 1.2
Looking for Another Page? Head over to the Campaign’s Table of Contents.