A Brazilian rubber tapper turned union organizer and environmentalist. Chico Mendes was one of the earliest and most vocal opponents of the destruction of the Amazon rainforest. When rubber prices fell, and cattle ranchers started buying up the jungle and burning it to the ground, Chico organized non violent resistance movements to stop them from taking over. Unfortunately this lead to his assassination in 1988 by local ranchers intent on stopping him.

Howard Zahniser

Environmental activist Howard Zahniser was the man most responsible for the creation of the Wilderness Act of 1964. In 1956 while while working with the Wilderness Society, he drafted what would become the Wilderness Act. It took the last 8 years of his life, multiple rewrites, 18 public hearings, and him personally lobbying nearly every congressmen. Sadly, he died of heart failure a few months prior to it being signed by President Lyndon Johnson. Thanks to Howard’s hard work, over 100 million acres of land are permanently protected.

Rachel Carson

Loved by millions, hated by pro business conservatives, Rachel Carson is without a doubt the most influential and controversial environmentalist of the 20th century. Her book, Silent Spring ushered in a new era of thinking in regards to pesticide and chemical use. She opened the eyes of the entire nation to the risks posed by bio accumulation of toxins and the harm they were silently doing to us all. Her work spawned the activism that led to the creation of the EPA, which essentially used her playbook as its rules of operation.

Al Gore

These days Vice President Gore is best known for his fight against global warming, and his documentary, An Inconvenient Truth. But long before that, during his days in the house of representatives, he was one of the most ardent supporters of environmental protections. He held the very first congressional hearings on global warming, sponsored legislation on toxic waste, and presided over the Global Marshall Plan in 1990. All of this during a point in time when speaking out for the environment as an elected official was a political risk.

David Attenborough

David Attenborough has brought the wonders of the natural world into our homes and exposed millions to both the natural beauty, and destruction of our environment. Without him, the environmental and naturalist movements would be nowhere near as strong as they are thanks to his work in showing us the planet in such detail. More recently he has become very vocal with environmental causes such as deforestation, global warming and overpopulation.

James Hansen

Climatologist James Hansen has been at the forefront of global warming research for close to thirty years now. His work as head of NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies has given some of the most concrete proof of the dangers of global warming. He has testified before congress, taken on the Bush Administrations censorship of science, and has been one of the most vocal scientists against global warming deniers propaganda campaigns.

Paul Watson

Love him or hate him, he has been at the forefront of the environmental movement for decades. Watson has been involved with the Sierra club, Defenders of Wildlife, Was a founding member of Greenpeace, and today runs the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. Which has gained him the most attention for its direct action approach to stop whaling.

Theodore Roosevelt

As the 26th President of the United States Teddy Roosevelt was the first president to really take conservation of nature and resources seriously. At a time when the world, and especially Americans only viewed the environment as something to exploit, Teddy showed us all that it was something to enjoy and respect. He was directly responsible for the protection of over 230 million acres of forest.

Gaylord Nelson

Senator Wilson was one of the first and most influential environmentalist members of Congress. He helped bring about the Clean Air Act, the banning of DDT, and the creation of the Appalachian Trail. He is best known though as the father of Earth Day, which was one of the most monumental moments in the environmental movement.

John Muir

John Muir was instrumental in the creation of the early stages of environmentalism. His founding of the Sierra Club started the initial push to protect the natural wonders of the United States. His work directly lead to the creation of Yosemite, Sequoia, Rainier, and Glacier National Parks, as well as saving the last remaining coastal redwoods in California.

By Mark Johnson

Yes camera’s can be complicated and expensive, but not so much as to warrant using a disposable piece of junk that doesn’t even take good pictures. A point and shoot digital camera can be had for under one hundred bucks these days, and used 35mm film cameras are so hard to sell that many people are giving them away. So you really have no excuse for using a disposable, other than wanting to waste resources and pollute more.

Swiffer

These one use cleaning products ranging from dusters to mops really have become popular with the lazy among us. While they do make cleaning a quick and fairly easy task, they do not clean better than a little elbow grease can do with a wet rag, or an old fashioned mop. Both of which not only cost 10x less, but last for hundreds, if not thousands of uses before having to be replaced.

Disposable Phones

Unless your a drug dealer or terrorist, you have no business throwing your money away and polluting the earth with  disposable cell phones. With all the plastics and toxins used in creating these, they are one of the worst items imaginable for a disposable product.

Non Rechargeable Batteries

This isn’t the 1990’s people, rechargeable batteries have come a really long way the last ten years. For as little as five dollars you can get four packs of high quality double or triple A batteries that will last for hundreds of charges. Which not only makes them better for the environment, but also means massive savings.

Plastic Wrap

That’s right, the magic plastic everyone has come to depend on is also horrible for the environment. It may make life easier, but there are other ways to preserve those leftovers, cover a pie, or secure a freshmen to a flagpole. For food uses, many companies now make alternatives that have elastic edges that can secure a plate or dish and are reusable.

Nonrefillable Pens

This is a product that makes no sense to not buy refillable versions of. The cheap reusable pens are the same price and the same quality as the throwaway ones. And it takes so little effort to change the ink cartridge that even a child could do it. So quit buying bulk packs of disposable pens, and instead buy one pen, and a pack of cartridges.

Styrofoam

We all know how bad this stuff is, we have all heard how long it takes to biodegrade, and yet we keep on using it. Even though there are environmentally friendly, toxin free and recyclable alternatives for food and packaging uses. Sadly, until more cities and states start banning it’s use, you will be hard pressed to avoid this one entirely.

Bottled Water

This multi billion dollar scam of a product has become so popular that we now extract, bottle and ship water thousands of miles just to be able to claim the water you are drinking came from a ‘pure’ source. Most of the companies selling bottled water don’t even source it from an aquifer, but instead get it from a municipal tap. The same tap you use for next to no cost on a daily basis. So just save yourself and the environment a lot of cost, and buy a water purifier, hook it up to your faucet, and enjoy the same quality and taste that the giant corporations tell you can only be had by their overpriced H2o.

Disposable  Audio Books

How anyone would ever consider buying a disposable audio book that costs anywhere from $20 to $50 dollars is beyond me. Nevertheless, they are being sold, and are without a doubt one of the most environmentally unfriendly products ever created.

Shopping Bags

This really has become a hot button issue lately with many cities having banned them, and hundreds more in disucssion about if they should. Proponents of plastic bags argue that they are a nesseciety, and that banning them will only hurt the poor. But the truth of the matter is that all it takes to no longer need them is keeping canvas bags around in your car, backpack or purse when you go shopping. They cost as little as one dollar each, and will last for years. So there really is no reason why anyone shouldnt make the switch today.

By Mark Johnson

Photo By IntangibleArts

The state of consumerism has turned into a revolving door of buying poorly made, environmentally unfriendly, disposable products manufactured with planned obsolescence in mind.  The only thing that the average consumer seems to care about now being how low of a price something can be obtained at. This in turn has led to our culture becoming more wasteful than at any point in human history.

It hasn’t always been this way though, it is actually a fairly new phenomenon, taking shape over the last twenty or so years. Before that, when you bought something you bought it to last. And in many cases these well built products are still in use today. Unlike their newer counterparts which if lucky, barely last a decade. Even worse, most corporations have outsourced their production to countries with little to no environmental regulations just to save a few pennies on the dollar which are used to entice you with lower prices.

You may be asking yourself, what can you do? how can one person make a difference? Well it can be done, you can make a difference. And for those who want to break this cycle and help the environment, here are a few easy steps to make your shopping more environmentally friendly.

Get To Know The Company Before You Buy

As difficult as this may sound, it has become beyond easy to do a little bit of research from the comfort of your own home. When you have a purchase in mind, find a few different makers, Google their corporate practices in regards to the environment, labor and quality. Then make an informed decision on which to buy. It really is that simple. And by doing so, it also helps the bottom line of the corporation you feel is meeting your standards.

It’s Cheap For A Reason

That old saying of, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is, couldn’t be more correct. From child labor, environmental pollution, or just plain old poor quality. You get what you pay for. And if what you buy breaks, forcing you to buy it again and again, all you are doing is wasting money, and natural resources that could have been put to better use by building a sound, quality product the first time around. Ikea would be a prime example. Sure they have great deals on furniture, but that savings comes at the expense of deforestation of old growth forests which supply a large portion of Ikea’s supply of exotic woods. And every time that cheap piece of furniture breaks, you have to replace it again with totally new resources that will yet again be wasted on something that is not made to last.

Demand Responsible Corporate Practices

If your like many people, you probably think this is just a naive fantasy of hippies. But in truth, your voice, and actions can go a long way in making even the largest corporations change their course. Just look at all of the corporations abandoning the US Chamber of Commerce these last few weeks over their stance on global warming. Corporations like Nike, Apple, PG&E, and Exelon didn’t leave the organization because they felt it was the right thing to do, they did so because they knew it would damage their credibility with consumers who want action taken to combat global warming.

By Mark Johnson

Photo By bertdennisonphotography

Yosemite National Park is the crown jewel of the state of California’s natural wonders. Created in 1890, it is the third oldest national park in America, and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With it’s towering rock cliffs, abundant wildlife and wilderness activities for all ages, this park is something everyone should see at least once in their lives.

Olympic National Park

Photo By SanyamStudio

Washington State’s Olympic National Park along with being a World Heritage Site, is also designated an international biosphere reserve due to its unique features. Within the park resides everything from coastal beaches on the pacific ocean, temperate rainforest’s that receive more rain than anywhere else in America, all the way up to glacier capped mountains rising over 10,000 feet. With hundreds of miles of trails, an abundance of wildlife, and camping locations scattered throughout the park, you would be hard pressed to not find something to interest you here.

Yellowstone National Park

Photo By dominiq

Created in 1872, Yellowstone is the very first national park in not just America, but the entire world. The park is home to some of the most amazing geological features in the United States with its geysers, hot springs and canyons. It is also home to one of the best wildlife preserves in all of North America. With over 60 species of mammals it is the last good example of North America’s mega-fauna in their natural habitat.

Everglades National Park

Photo By ruben i

This subtropical wilderness is the largest marshland in the United States. And is without a doubt the most in danger of this countries national parks. From encroaching development and pollution, to invasive species, water diversion, and hurricanes, this park has seen it all. Yet it still remains, and is an amazing sight to see for those brave enough to mingle with everything from alligators and pythons, to panthers and a plethora of bugs.

Mount Rainier National Park

Photo By Alaskan Dude

Mount Rainier National Park contains the tallest mountain in the lower 48 states. Capped with dozens of glaciers, it rises 14,411 ft into the sky. And is especially breathtaking for the fact that its base is at an elevation of less than 1,500ft making it seem even taller. With such a large change in elevation within the park comes many different things to do and see. From hiking and camping, to photography and wildflower and wildlife watching, it is a nature lovers paradise. And also a risk takers dream come true. With more glaciers than the rest of the lower 48 states combined, and the tallest mountain, Rainier has become a one stop destination for mountaineering.

Denali National Park

Photo By Unhindered by Talent

Denali National Park is home to Mount McKinley, the tallest mountain in all of North America. It is so large that it takes up over 30% of the entire park, which is close to 10,000 square miles in size. It is so remote, that it only has one road, and even then, most of it is not paved. Other than the bus tours that take you down this road, you need to be in extremely good shape to really see all this park has to offer. As almost all of the park is only accessible by hiking dozens of miles into it.

Arches National Park

Photo By Ran Z

As it’s name suggests, Arches National Park is filled with naturally formed sandstone arches. Over 2,000 of them to be precise. Located in Utah, this park is home to so many rock formations that it would take you months, if not years to see them all.

Glacier National Park

Photo by Ken Thomas

Unfortunatly this parks name will no longer suit it in the not too distant future. Glacier National Park in Montana was once home to some of the largest and most stunning Glaciers in the lower 48 states. But over the last century has seen the majority of them drastically shrink, or fully vanish into history. Even so, this park is a definite must see for those wanting to get in touch with nature. From its mountains, lakes and wildlife, any backpacker or hiker will fall in love with this place.

Grand Canyon National Park

Photo By Wolfgang Staudt

Everyone’s heard of it, millions have seen it, very few people though know just how amazing it really is. The Grand Canyon is over 277 miles long, up to 18 miles wide, over 6,000 feet deep, and shows over two billion years of the earths history in it. It is by far the most stunning visual presentation of geology in all of the country, and is something none should miss out on seeing at least once.

Sequoia National Park

Photo By Miguel Vieira

Sequoia National Park is home to some of tallest, and largest volume trees on the planet. The “Giant Forest” Inside the park contains five of the ten largest trees. With the prime specimen being General Sherman at 275 feet tall, and with a 102.6 foot circumference. The park is also home to hundreds of caves,  many species of wildlife, and it’s trademark trees that you can literally drive through.

By Mark Johnson

The Avenue of the Baobabs is a road in Madagascar lined with thousand year old baobab trees that are up to 100 feet tall. Their unique shape and size have made them one of the most popular tourist destinations in the entire country. Sadly this area has no conservation status, and in fact is not even designated as a park, so the risk of them being destroyed remains fairly high.

Angel Falls

Angel Falls, located on a tepui in the remote jungles of Venezuala is the tallest waterfall on earth. The falls are 3,212 ft in height, and is so tall that the water atomizes into mist before it ever reaches the bottom. To see these falls in person requires is a major undertaking though, and involves planes, river boats, and lots of hiking.

Uluru

This gigantic sandstone rock in Australia is over 1,100 feet tall and has a circumference of almost 6 miles. Depending on the time of day, this rock glows with different colors, with its most stunning being at sunset, when it becomes a bright red. It also holds strong spiritual beliefs of the local indigenous people who view it as sacred ground.

Sundarbans

The Sunderbans of Bangladesh are the largest halophytic mangrove forest on the planet. Taking up thousands of square miles, this swampy forest is home to a variety of wildlife ranging from tigers and crocodiles, to birds and deer.  Four million people also call this forest home, and as such it faces risks of development and exploitation.

Jeita Grotto

The Jeita Grotto is one of, if not the most beautiful limestone caves in the world. Located in Lebanon, this cave took millions of years to form, and has within it the worlds largest stalactite. During the Lebanese civil war it was used to house munitions, though thankfully very little damage was done to this stunning underground wonder.

Eisriesenwelt Ice Cave

Eisriesenwelt, German for World Of The Ice Giants, is the largest ice cave known to man. Formed by river erosion, the cave is filled with melting snow in the summer, which then freezes in winter creating its majestic ice formations. Located inside Hochkogel mountain in Austria, it is a very popular tourist attraction due to its unique formations and easy access via cable car.

By Mark Johnson

Photo By Ivan Mlinaric Via Flickr

Amazon Rainforest
If your looking for a vacation that will immerse you with natural wonders, the worlds largest tropical rainforest is a good start. over ten percent of all known species call this jungle home, making this one of the best trips you can take to see wildlife. Over the last decade many eco resorts and adventures have started to operate in the Amazon so you can feel good about the company you are giving your money to as well.

Photo By Ardyiii Via Flickr

Costa Rica
Known for decades as the worlds best ecotourism destination, this small country has made environmentally friendly travel one of the largest sectors of their economy. They take it so seriously that they even have the worlds first carbon neutral airline. Best of all, no matter your age or physical condition, Costa Rica offers an eco vacation suited for you. From five star jungle resorts with zip lines and canopy tours. To some of the best backpacking, snorkeling, and beaches in the world, you would be hard pressed to not find something to enjoy.

Photo By footloosiety Via flickr

Yosemite National Park
There is a reason John Muir and Ansel Adam’s favored this park so much. It is one of the most stunning geographical features in all of North America. Inside this park lies a multitude of activities and sights for all ages. From mountaineering and rock climbing to backpacking or just relaxing in the valley watching wildlife, this is a true natural treasure that everyone should see at least once. With multiple lodges and camp grounds in the middle of the park, this also makes a great destination for those wanting to enjoy all of natures beauty without trekking into the middle of nowhere to get to it.

Photo By epcp Via Flickr

New Zealand
Much like Costa Rica, New Zealand has created a very large industry aimed at ecotourism. Anyone who has seen the Lord Of The Rings movies knows just how vast and wondrous this landscape is. With its snow capped mountains and multiple volcanoes, this is one of the worlds best destinations for mountaineers, backpackers, or anyone who enjoys winter sports. On top of that, the rest of the country’s lower elevations are rich with unique wildlife.  And its coastal  shores offer everything from kayaking and whale watching, to scuba diving and pleasure boating.

Photo By canardwifi Via Flickr

Seychelles
Visiting this island nation in the Indian Ocean is almost like stepping back in time to a more relaxed and slower paced lifestyle. It is world renowned for its tropical beaches, distinct rock formations, and exotic species. One of the main destinations in this country is the 10 square km island of La Digue which, has no cars, and even though it is so small, rises to close to 1,000ft in elevation at points. If you ever wanted to feel like you were on Gilligan’s Island, this would be the place to visit.

Photo By TheLizardQueen Via Flickr

African Safari
No ecotourism list would be complete without an African safari to witness some of the largest species in the world in their natural habitat. The choices of what to do and see on safari are almost endless. From jeeps and hot air balloons to historic lodges or temporary camp sights in the middle of it all.  This is an especially great destination for those with a knack for photography.

By Mark Johnson

Photo By Bracketing Life Via Flickr

We live in a world where we are constantly on the move, constantly buying things and always creating waste. It has become such a normal part of everyday life that we rarely think about the impact it has on the planet. Even for those who are aware of it, they seldom take action for fear it will cost too much, or take too much time. But the truth of the matter is that every single one of us can easily lesson our impact by slightly adjusting our daily routine to that of a more eco friendly one. Here are some simple tips to help you do just that, without drastically altering your lifestyle.

1.  Reduce Your Home Water Use

For this tip, you have many ways to go about it. You can reuse the water you boiled food with to water your plants, take shorter showers, or even just turn off the faucet when brushing your teeth. Write down a list of all of your daily water uses at home and figure out just what can be cut back, or what can serve a dual purpose. With proper implementation everyone can save at least 5-50 gallons of water a day.

2.  Ditch The Chemical Cleaning Products

Get rid of all those nasty chemicals you use to keep your house clean. All of them can be replaced by something earth friendly at little to no added cost. From dish soap and Windex, to laundry detergent and bleach, you can find a cleaner safer version for all of it that works just as well as the petrochemical filled version.

3.  Walk More, Drive Less

We have legs for a reason. They are the cheapest, cleanest and healthiest way to get from point A to point B. So quit taking the car when your going less than a mile from home and not coming back with a ton of stuff. It’s like a free gym membership that saves you money, and helps the planet at the same time. Plus, you just might actually get to know those in your neighborhood and community in the process.

4.  Quit Using One Use Products

Why waste resources on something that will only get used once when a suitable reusable option is available? Bring your own thermos or cup to the coffee shop/stand, most places will let you. Toss a couple canvas bags in the trunk and keep a few by the door so you never get stuck using paper or plastic bags.  The list of one use products you can do without is almost endless,  you just need to figure out a way that works for you to not use them.

By Mark Johnson

Iberian Lynx

Programa de Conservación Ex-situ del Lince Ibérico www.lynxexsitu.

The Iberian Lynx very well could be the next species to go. It’s numbers are now estimated at as few as 100.  If the Lynx does become extinct, it will be the first big cat species to vanish since the Smilodon over 10,000 years ago. The good news though is that breeding program in Spain has been showing some success, and the first captive bred cubs were born in 2005.

California Condor

Sempivirens Via Flickr

This giant bird, which can live up to 50 years was nearly extinct in 1987 when there were only 22 California Condors left in the wild. All of them were captured to start a breeding program which has worked so well that there are now  322 of them, with 172 living in the wild. And while this is great news that all conservationists should be proud of,  this species is still very much critically endangered and could easily disappear in our lifetimes.

Black Rhinoceros

nonisense via flickr

Just 100 years ago, the four subspecies of  black rhinoceros had a population in the hundreds of thousands in Africa. Today less than 4,000 remain, with one of the four subspecies, the west African black rhino declared extinct in 2006. The large majority of this species decline is due to poaching by hunters and loss of habitat.

Mountain Gorilla

TKnoxB via Flickr

Roughly 700 Mountain Gorillas remain in the Virunga and Bwindi forests of Africa. They are facing not only the normal threats most endangered species are confronted with such as poaching and destruction of habitat.  But are also facing ongoing unrest and civil war that has spread more and more into their territory claiming the lives of many these last few years.

Island Fox

The Island Fox is the only one on this list that is not directly endangered by human activity. Instead this fox on the islands of southern California is at risk of extinction due to golden eagles laying claim to the islands this fox calls home.  Due to the decline in the bald eagle population from DDT in the 20th century, the golden eagle took advantage of their loss and moved into these islands and made the island fox a major food source. in the 1990’s this species went from 500 to 2000 per island to only a few dozen on each.

South China Tiger

ltansey via Flickr

This majestic animal is what all other tiger species originated from. Native to China, in 1959 Mao Zadong declared them an enemy of the people, and basically created a mass extermination campaign against them. By the 1980’s only 200 remained, at which point the Chinese government changed course and started protecting them. Sadly it was too late, and no tiger has been confirmed in the wild in over 20 years. A captive breeding program has been started, but with so few remaining many scientists are declaring the species functionally extinct.

Javan Rhinoceros

At one point the Javan Rhino was the most common Asian rhinoceros,  and ranged from Indonesia, China, Vietnam and even India. Today there are only two known populations remaining. One in Vietnam, with as few as eight remaining, and one in Indonesia on the island of Java, with as little as 40.  This species is at high risk of extinction as there are none in captivity, and the habitat these few left have is at high risk of being destroyed.

Right Whale

The North Pacific and Atlantic Right Whale was once one of the most common whales in the oceans.  Due to their slow speed they were the most popular target of whalers which has led to the near complete decimation of the species. In recent years many of their deaths have been from ship strikes. Today, only 400 Atlantic Right Whales remain, with the elusive Pacific population estimated at as little as only a few dozen to couple hundred.

Hirola

This antelope species from Kenya and Somalia is critically endangered with fewer than 1000 remaining, and none in captivity. As recently as the 1970’s there were as many as 15,000, but due to drought and competition from other species, especially cattle, they have been squeezed to the brink of extinction.

Amur Leopard

macjewell via Flickr

The Amur Leopard is considered to be at an extremely high risk of extinction due to poaching, deforestation, and inbreeding from the small population size. Only 35-45 remain in the wild, with the captive population at 290 in 2007.

By Mark Johnson

]]> http://sayiamgreen.com/blog/2009/09/10-species-on-the-verge-of-extinction/feed/ 4 http://sayiamgreen.com/blog/2009/09/water-conservation-tips/ http://sayiamgreen.com/blog/2009/09/water-conservation-tips/#comments Fri, 18 Sep 2009 05:27:31 +0000 ameliaharnish http://sayiamgreen.com/blog/?p=440

In an earlier post, we discussed the importance of not only watching your water usage, but of getting involved in the care and management of the water you depend on. Of course, river cleanups make little difference if the river is not there to clean up — conservation comes first. As per request, below are some way to conserve water in your daily lives.

First, the easy ones:

Don’t let the water run.  Period.

• When washing dishes, fill one sink with wash water and one sink with rinse water. Also, don’t let the water run over tough-to-clean pots and pans; fill them with soapy water and let them soak.
• Brush your teeth while the water is off, and fill a cup, rather than hand-scooping running water, to rinse.
• Get in the shower as soon as the water is warm. Don’t walk away after turning the shower on because you’re “just waiting for it to heat up,” so that you can jump in as soon as it warms up. You might even try collecting the cold water in a bucket or bowl to reuse for watering plants or rinsing vegetables.
• Wash fruits and vegetables in a bowl instead of under running water.

Fix leaky faucets as soon as possible. In the meantime, collect the dripping water for use elsewhere. According to WaterUseitWisely.com,  this can save 140 gallons a week.

Only wash clothes or run the dishwasher when you have a full load. Full loads, means fewer loads.

Water your lawn early in the morning and later in the evening to reduce evaporation. Don’t forget to check the saturation of your lawn before watering with your fingers. If the first 2-3 inches are moist, you don’t need to water.

Check your bill.  Your water bill may be pennies compared to what you pay for electricity, but conserving water can save you money, too.  Your bill will tell you exactly how much water you’re using as well as help you to set goals for reduction.

And some that take a bit more of effort:

Upgrade your appliances. Many refrigerators, ice-makers and air conditioners are water-cooled; switch to air-cooled to save water.

Get a water-saving shower head. You can test the one you already have with a bucket — if it fills up in less than 20 seconds, you should definitely consider replacement.

Harvest your rainwater for use during dry spells.

Replace your older and/or inefficient toilet. Low flow and dual-flush toilets can save anywhere between 50 and 80 gallons a day. A low-cost alternative to replacing your toilet is adding a homemade displacement device.

By Amelia Harnish

Photo from ONE DROP Honduras via flickr

It’s estimated that 2 and a half gallons of water a day is enough to survive, yet according to Treehugger, Americans use an more than 100 gallons per day. Dr. Peter Gleick, president of the Pacific Institute and blogger for the San Francisco Chronicle, recently reported that Americans actually consume nearly double that — 180 gallons per day, according to the US Geological Survey’s latest estimate.  And, he added, this number doesn’t include the water we use to grow the food we eat or our portion of water used for industrial mining, aquaculture or livestock.  A more accurate view is to consider all of the water used in the United States and divide it by the population of the United States,  which puts the average at 1,430 gallons per person, per day. Astounding.

Water is our most precious resource. As the world’s population grows and global climate change continues to effect supply in regions around the world, the need to face our incredible water consumption becomes more and more important. And that means more than just turning off the faucet while you’re brushing your teeth (although, saving water in any way is important, too). It means following all those tips and tricks for saving water and actively participating in talks about these issues — making sure our water is managed in the best ways possible.

One of the best ways to do this is to get involved with or at least follow the activities of the Advisory Committee on Water Information and their various programs. The ACWI is  part of the U.S.  Department of the Interior and the U.S. Geological Service.  Check out The American Heritage Rivers Initiative, designed to help river communities that seek federal assistance and other resources. One of the best online tools the Rivers Initiative features is the Surf Your Watershed web site, which allows you to type in your zip code or pick your local river and explore the health of the watershed, the counties and areas teh water serves, information about management and citizen groups that are actively working in your area. Another great tool the ACWI offers is the Science in Your Watershed web site. Its similar to Surf Your Watershed, except its devoted solely to offering access, analysis and maintenance of the status and health of the watershed near you.

But this is only where to begin.  Conserving water means paying attention to and limiting your personal, everyday water usage, but also paying attention and actively working to protect water resources. Seek out groups in your community, organize your own river cleanup, and talk to your neighbors about waterless car washing. These small efforts can make a world of difference.

By Amelia Harnish