Climate Change: Water Conservation

Climate change is a relevant threat to our environment and the world we live in. Our natural
resources are quickly being depleted and if action is not taken to conserve and protect the world we live in
our lives will be drastically affected in a negative manner. Water is arguably the most valuable resource
that we have: it is essential to all living beings. In recent years, water resources have drastically reduced
and is affecting our global climate. It is necessary for our nation to take action in protecting our water
resources so that we can sustain a stable climate for future generations. The benefits of conserving water
include saving money and energy, protecting our environment and climate, and to support life.
Saving water also means saving money. There are many measures that one could take to save
water that would also save money. For instance, if one was to fix a leak in their home, it would save
wasted clean water. According to American Water Works Association, If every household in America
had a faucet that dripped once each second, 928 million gallons of water a day would leak away which
would in turn waste millions of dollars as well. In addition, the US spends millions of dollars to fund
agricultural irrigation. Agriculture is a major user of ground and surface water in the United States,
accounting for approximately 80 percent of the Nation's consumptive water use and over 90 percent in
many Western States(USDA). Using more effective methods of irrigation could save countless gallons
of water and save money that could be used for other national obligations. Saving water is not only
beneficial to our global and national environmental standing, but saving water also saves money.
Water conservation is crucial in order to protect our environment. If our water resources reach
total depletion, life would cease to exist. All life depends on water. According to Water & Sanitation
Access, The water crisis is the #1 global risk based on impact to society (as a measure of devastation), as
announced by the World Economic Forum in January 2015. Because clean water is so scarce- making
up only 1% of total available water- 663 million people - 1 in 10 - lack access to safe water(Water &
Sanitation Access). Water is a vital substance which makes it a pressing and controversial topic, but an
important one, nonetheless. Nasa has made observations of clear signs of global warming and climate
change in the American Northwest, Changes in the timing of streamflow reduce water supplies for
competing demands. Sea level rise, erosion, inundation, risks to infrastructure, and increasing ocean
acidity pose major threats. Increasing wildfire, insect outbreaks, and tree diseases are causing widespread
tree die-off(NASA). All life is dependent on water, and if our water usage trends continue, our resources
will be exhausted.
The health of all living things relies on water. Not only is it necessary to consume water, but
water is needed for sanitation. Sanitation: Facts, Figures, and Resources states that Lack of access to
sanitation carries significant human costs. Poor sanitation, water, and hygiene lead to about 700,000
premature deaths annually. Clean water is essential, therefore, measures need to be taken to ensure clean
drinking water. Additionally, Forty out of 50 state water managers expect water shortages under average
conditions in some portion of their states over the next decade(Environmental Protection Agency). This
will drastically affect how people carry out their daily lives. By 2025, 1.8 billion people will experience
absolute water scarcity, and 2/3 of the world will be living under water-stressed conditions(Few
Resources). If a person decides not to conserve water now, he or she will ultimately be forced to decrease
water usage out of necessity.
Ultimately, climate change is a crucial, daunting, and real threat to our nation and
world. Decreasing water resources plays a vital role in climate change and is essential to live, therefore, it
is important that we take effective measures in conserving water. Without conserving water, we waste
money, and threaten our environment as well as our health. Failure to conserve water will result in global
crises and potentially the extinction of all living things on earth. For this purpose, it is vital that we, as
Americans, take the necessary steps to conserve water, for the benefit of ourselves, our nation, our world,
and future generations.

Works Cited
"Current and Future Climate Change Effects." Climate Change: Vital Signs of the Planet.
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http://climate.nasa.gov/effects/
"Proposition 1 Arguments and Rebuttals | Official Voter Information Guide | California
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http://voterguide.sos.ca.gov/en/propositions/1/

"Sanitation: Facts, Figures, Resources." Sanitation: Facts, Figures, Resources. N.p., n.d.
Web. 19 Oct. 2015
http://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/sanitation/brief/sanitation-facts-figuresresources

"USDA ERS - Irrigation & Water Use." USDA ERS - Irrigation & Water Use. N.p., n.d.
Web. 02 Nov. 2015.
http://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/farm-practices-management/irrigation-water-use.aspx

"Water Conservation." Water Conservation. American Water Works Association, n.d.

Web. 25 Sept. 2015.
http://www.awwa.org/resources-tools/water-knowledge/water-conservation.aspx

"Water & Sanitation Access." Waterorg. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Oct. 2015.
http://www.unicef.org/wash/

"Water Scarcity Issues: We're Running out of Water." FEW Resources.org. N.p., n.d. Web.
02 Nov. 2015.
http://www.fewresources.org/water-scarcity-issues-were-running-out-of-water.html

Book Source:
"Read "Water Implications of Biofuels Production in the United States" at NAP.edu." 4
Agricultural Practices and Technologies to Reduce Water Impacts. N.p., n.d. Web.
02 Nov. 2015.