Blue Planet Run Foundation
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If you haven't already read the book Blue Planet Run by Rick Smolan and Jennifer Erwitt you should. The photography is magnificent and dramatic. It struck a chord in me almost immediately. But at the same time the book is hopeful. It tells a tale of the immediate problems and then what can be done to fix them. Don't miss the book's slideshow on Planet Green.
Blue Planet Run Slideshow
In honor of Blue August on Planet Green I thought it helpful to show you not just the problems but what each individual can do to fix the problems according to the book. And you can make a difference. A few small changes in your life can save tons of water, our most precious resource. In fact, on average humans use 13 gallons of water a day while the U.S. water consumption can reach 100 gallons a day. That just seems unimaginable to me. And the average American family uses 245 gallons of water a day. In the tips below I left the more obvious ideas like low flow faucets and not flushing the toilet out and instead only included lesser known tips.
Water Conservation in the Garden
Do your watering early to avoid evaporation and avoid sprinklers that produce a fine mist. This often evaporates into thin air before it even hits your plants.
- If you get a heavy rain you don't need to water your lawn for two weeks so skip the waste. Realize that a hose uses 10 gallons of water a minute so it's best to minimize use.
- To retain moisture in the yard use mulch, which will also promote growth and control weeds. Don't use a chemical fertilizer. In addition to their impact on the eco-system, fertilizers also increase the need for water. If you plan to wash your car, wash it on the lawn so that you can kill two birds with one stone.
Water Conservation in the House
- When you're taking a shower get under the water to get wet and then turn the water off when you're lathering. Put a bucket in the shower with you so that you can use the excess water for plants and such.
- Replace the washers on drippy faucets. This saves 2,700 gallons of water per year.
- Have the sink's disposal plumbed so that it drains outside. This nutrient rich waste is great for watering plants.
More on Water:
How to Go Green: Water
Top Water Conservation Tips
Organic Gardening: Water Conservation
