Tag water

 Do you ever think about the things of life that are so familiar? The things you never give thought to because, well, because they are familiar?

Like every time you get a glass of water. Do you know how fortunate you are?

I live in Michigan. We have more lakes than any other state. Yes, more than Minnesota.  And, of course, we are also bordered on three sides by the Great Lakes. We have a lot of water in Michigan.

Water is one of those natural resources it’s easy to take for granted.

I don’t.

I probably did at one time but no more. But because I’ve traveled so much I know how scarce water is in the rest of the world. The first place we think of is Africa but even in Europe water is at a premium.  Ocean water is not fresh water and requires more purification which also means higher cost to the consumer.

We turn on the faucet and there it is, water. We think nothing of taking baths with the water filled to the top of the tub. We like our long showers. Can you just imagine the wonder a little child from a third world country would feel the first time he took a bath? It would be like Christmas.

Impure water is the cause of many diseases in other parts of the world. Many faith-based organizations have taken up the cause and encourage donations for the procurement of wells. I’ve taken a stand about the use of water in our home. Showers are timed.

I have a timer and I know how to use it!

We keep the water stream slow for dishes. The water is not left running when we brush our teeth. The water is not left running period. The toilet is not flushed every time it is used. There’s a saying that goes like this, “If it’s yellow, let it mellow. If it’s brown, flush it down.” That’s our standard. (Just so you know, these standards do not apply to guests.)

We don’t do this because we’re cheap or can’t afford to do otherwise. For me, it’s a show of support. It keeps me in touch with the realities that people in other parts of the world deal with every day.

I’m not a saint. When we travel, I do like to take a long, hot bath but even then I’m careful not to overdo. Just because I’m not paying for it doesn’t mean I can take it for granted. I follow the same standards when I am at someone else’s house as well. 

Water is not infinite. There is not an indefinite supply. 

 

We act like it is but it isn’t. If global warming is true, then the world could most definitely face a world-wide water shortage.

Here’s an article from the British Broadcasting Corporation from June 19, 2012.

Shortages: Water supplies in crisis

By Roger Harrabin Environment analyst

Most countries will have to make do with the water they’ve got, but there are stark disparities

 Over the past 40 years, the world’s population has doubled. Our use of water has quadrupled. Yet the amount of water on Earth has stayed the same.

Less than 1% of the water on planet blue is for humans to drink.

About 2% is locked up in ice. The rest is for the fish.

Seawater is only good to drink for humans who live near the sea and can afford the cash and the energy to take out the salt.

For most of the population, this is not an option.

Desalinated water costs maybe 15 times more than regular water. It burns polluting fossil fuel energy, as solar-powered desalination is in its infancy.

Shortages: Resources running out

No, most places will have to live with the water they’ve got.

Many countries are awash; they’ll be fine. Others are desperately mining fossil H2O that seeped into rocks during the last ice age.

And as underground supplies run dry, water shortage sets in.

Large parts of Africa, Asia, and Europe, including the south-east of Britain, are categorized by the UN as facing water stress or scarcity.

And for all the UN’s recent boast about hitting drinking water targets, experts estimate that maybe three billion people worldwide still lack safe water to drink.

And it might get worse with climate change, although scientists’ projections of future rainfall are notoriously cloudy.

Don’t take water for granted. If you can, make even the smallest donation. to an organization somewhere in the world so you can show your gratitude.

 

It’s the little things like this where we can feel we’re part of something better.

God bless and thank Him for that next drink of water.

The post, “When you turn on the faucet, say “Thanks”, appeared first on faithsighanddiy.com.