Two weeks ago, we discussed the rampant problem of droughts, and how it can affect every part of the world. They are sudden, startling, and have a massive effect on the environment. However, knowing what the problem is isn't quite enough; we have to know how to solve it too. So, in this post, I will be discussing just how we as individuals can rebound from a drought, and more importantly, reduce the amount of times they happen.
Droughts Can Never Be "Stopped"
I think the most important thing to recognize is that droughts will likely never stop. While human activity does contribute to the severity of many droughts, they are naturally caused. So, even if we were to completely cease any negative human activity, they would still happen. Now, even though they may never stop, the way that we and the environment bounces back from these droughts can always improve. We can always lessen our impact on droughts, and always do better when it comes to saving water. So, if we can't completely stop droughts, what can we do to ensure we aren't contributing to them?
The Connection Between Climate Change and Drought
As was partially discussed in my last post on droughts, many issues in our environment are connected, and climate change and droughts are no exception. As the atmosphere becomes more populated with greenhouse gasses, some areas of the planet begin to heat up. And, when these areas heat up, more moisture from the ground is evaporated, leaving dry areas and ground. This causes an area to be more susceptible to droughts, as the ground is already extremely dry before a drought even happens.
So, from this information we can conclude that if we work to stop climate change, the risk of droughts in many areas will also decrease. If you would like to learn about some ways you can help to lessen Climate Change, you can go here. Of course, no matter how close we get, droughts will likely never be solved, unless of course we find a way to control the weather. But until then, when a drought strikes, how can we ensure that the effects are minimal?
Rebounding From Drought
The first thing that comes to mind when discussing how to manage a drought is this: you have to save as much water as you can. While this isn't entirely wrong, it is more about how you save that water then how much you save. There are a few different products and appliances we use that, if used less during a drought, can help to save a lot of water.
First, it is important to identify where we use the most water in our everyday lives. Below is a list of the different places in which most people use the most water daily:
Flushing the toilet (1/3 of total used water in the household)
Baths
Showers (depending on how long you shower for)
Washing machines
Dishwashers
Sprinklers
Dripping taps
These seven main factors account for most if not all of the water we use on a daily basis. Finding ways to change your usage of them will really help if your town is in a drought. Here are some tips to reduce your water consumption during a drought:
Instead of taking a bath, take a short shower (around 5 minutes). This can help save up to 45 liters of water per shower.
Whenever you are planning to put in a load of laundry, wait until you have a complete load. This way, you will have to run the washing machine less, resulting in less water used. This same premise should also be used when washing dishes.
When using the tap in your home, make sure it is never turned on when you don't need it. This goes for brushing your teeth, washing your hands, and rinsing something out. Never have it turned on when it is not being directly used.
Turning off your sprinklers during the day (or running them manually) is also another great way to save water. Even if it is just for an hour or two, turning off the sprinklers helps to save a lot of water. While your lawn may not look as green as you want it to, it is for an important cause.
Other Ways to Help During a Drought
While saving water is arguably the largest way to help out during a drought, there are some other ways you can help that are not directly related to limiting our use of water. While not all of them are based on using less water in the home, by using/ doing some of these things you can decrease the amount of water used by outside sources as well. These solutions do require a little bit of forethought, so try to get them implemented as fast you can before a drought.
Going native- planting plants around your home that are native to your area really helps during a drought. This tip really only applies to gardeners, but can help a lot. Many native plants that you see in a store are already adjusted to the climate of that area, meaning they are more likely to need less water in a drought stricken area. By planting these types of plants as opposed to others, you end up using less water to keep them alive.
Eating foods that are less water intensive- essentially, this means eating foods that are produced locally. Many foods require lots of water to transport and preserve, and thus less water is used if they don't have to be transported. Some specific foods that you want to avoid during droughts are: meat, almonds, walnuts, eggs, rice, soybeans, avocados, and wheat.
Use less energy- while it may not seem connected, your energy use in your home can play a big role in how much water is used in your town. Many power plants use a lot of water to produce their energy, so with less of a need for energy, less water is used.
Replace shower heads, toilet flush systems, and pipes- water saving shower heads and dual flush toilets can save save anywhere from 30-50% of the water that is used in a normal toilet or shower head. Additionally, you should check the piping in your house to ensure that there are no leaks.
Conclusion
While we may never be able to truly stop droughts from happening, these methods can really help to reduce the effect they have. By implementing these practices into your everyday life, you can not only save the environment, but save water for those who need it the most. If we all work to limit the amount of water we use, especially during a drought, it can benefit the environment for generations to come. Thanks for reading.
All credit for information used in this post goes to:
http://www.sunset.com/garden/garden-basics/11-ways-fight-drought
https://www.reference.com/science/prevent-droughts-29554a8135ab8347#
http://blog.kulikulifoods.com/2014/10/21/ten-ways-reduce-impact-california-drought/
http://www.devon.gov.uk/drought.pdf
Images:
http://www.rodalesorganiclife.com/wellbeing/gallon-water-challenge
http://www.nbcnews.com/science/environment/not-just-california-droughts-extend-across-americas-n220376
http://modernfarmer.com/2014/09/heres-drought-solution-just-stop-watering-crops/
http://www.confectionerynews.com/Commodities/Climate-change-Impact-on-cocoa-production-devastating
http://gizmodo.com/the-rainmakers-how-human-beings-control-the-weather-707081383
http://www.homedepot.com/b/Bath-Showers/N-5yc1vZbzcd
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/washing-machines.htm
http://www.ceoe.udel.edu/nativeplantgarden/index.html
http://fancix.com/no-eggs.html
https://www.ws-corp.com/default.asp?PageID=13
https://www.pexels.com/search/ocean/
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