The global population is on its way up. From less than three billion people in the 1970s to over seven billion in the present day, it is no surprise we are straining our planet’s resources.
One of the resources
reaching the direst levels of shortage is fresh, clean drinking water. Even
in developed countries like the United States, many
communities are at risk for running out of clean water. And, with the world population
slated to reach nine billion within one more lifetime, the hunt for a
sustainable way to dole out clean water
is becoming more of a concern among
researchers, government agencies, and activists around the globe.
The following are just a few of the basic
and most meaningful ways the average citizen can do their part to help reduce
the global water scarcity, for this and future generations.
Purchasing S’well Bottles
The S’well water
bottle is a reusable water bottle that comes in slim, stylish iterations across
a variety of pale, calm, and cool colors and patterns. The bottles come in many
different sizes and are specifically
created with non-toxic and non-leaching 18/8 stainless steel.
Each bottle is built
with a durable triple wall, which means that no condensation will ever appear
on the outside of the bottle. You can purchase the bottles in three distinct
sizes, including a 9 oz., 17 oz., and a 25 oz. size. This makes S’well the
perfect bottle for all kinds of people, whether you need a small bottle to
carry in your purse or a larger bottle for when you are working out—or even an
even bigger bottle to share with your friends.
The best part about
buying a S’well bottle? The company—which was founded only in 2010—supports many
charities dedicated to various clean water initiatives around the globe. These
include American Forests, (RED), Drink Up, and even UNICEF USA. The company has
further committed $800,000 to UNICEF USA, as of 2017, to help prevent at-risk
communities around the world access to water-borne illnesses and gain access to
clean, fresh drinking water.
Furthermore,
purchasing the bottles is also a significant
step toward reducing plastic and paper waste.
Donating Wells or Water Purification Systems and Water Filters
This is yet another
surefire way to do your part toward contributing to a world with access to safe drinking water for all. If you have the
means, donating a water filter system to a family or community in need can mean
the difference between a neighborhood contracting a water-borne disease from
bacteria, viruses, pharmaceuticals, lead contamination, and so much more.
These environmentally
friendly systems do not waste water during the purification process, so, in
creating safe water, you are not wasting
any, either! These filters connect to water lines that already exist in your
plumbing system and are relatively simple to implement in your home.
On the other hand, a
simple Everpure water filter, for instance, can give a family pure, clean water, by reducing the odor and taste of
chlorine, and can filter up to 10,000 gallons of water
before it needs to be replaced.
One option that costs
even less money is to donate water purifying tablets to communities that need
them. One package of 30 tablets can easily destroy all the
contaminants in 30 bottles of water, leaving no aftertaste. Imagine how much of
a difference that can make for a family in a community that does not have easy
access to clean drinking water.
Think back to the
natural disasters that have hit the
Caribbean particularly hard in recent years, including Hurricane Matthew in 2016 and the earthquake in Haiti in
2010. Many of these families have been helped—and
could still use the help—from donations of water purification systems, filters,
and bottles.
Using Recyclable Water Bottles or Reusable Materials in All Aspects of Life
Make using reusable
items a part of all aspects of life,
whether that is within the home or the
office, at college or in sports.
Companies can save money and maintain a
level of sustainability by encouraging their employees to bring and use water
cups and bottles in the office, as well as
by removing all temptations in the form of paper cups.
Drinking from a reusable bottle like S’well keeps your water cold and reduces water waste. Disposable plastic bottles become warm, and water is frequently poured down the sink because it is considered no longer drinkable. Plastic water bottles also leach estrogen into the drinking water because they aren’t BPA-free. Do your part for the environment, too, by using a recyclable water bottle to keep plastic and paper products out of our landfills.
