Posted by You can make a big difference when it comes to protecting the planet.
These 25 tips help conserve water; keep pollution out of oceans, rivers,
streams; and protect the animals that live there. You’re being blue to
be green!
1. Get Moving
Bike or walk as much as possible to keep car pollution from being absorbed into waterways.
2. Don’t Release Pets Into the Wild
Some pets and snakes are not native to the area where they are kept as pets. When nonnative animals are released into rivers, lakes, or streams, they can mess up the ecosystem.
3. Participate
Help clean up a river, lake, or beach.
4. Be a Water Monitor
Report leaks and drips at home and school.
5. Turn Off the Water
When you are brushing your teeth, turn off the tap.
6. Take Short Showers
Set a timer and see if you can get clean in five minutes.
7. Never Release Helium Balloons Into the Air
Balloons often fall into the water and animals mistake them for food.
8. Do Less Work
Wash only full loads in the dishwasher or washing machine.
9. Make Your Own Soap
Create new bars of soap by squishing together slivers of leftover bars of soap to keep small pieces of soap from slipping down the drain and entering waterways.
10. Don’t Use the Toilet as a Trash Can
Flushing things such as medicine may contaminate water sources. It also simply wastes water.
11. Scoop the Poop!
Pick up after your pet to keep it from ending up in water sources.
12. Reuse Hotel Towels
When you stay at hotels, reuse the sheets and towel so the hotel can reduces its water use.
13. Paint “No Dumping” Art on Storm Drains
Join
the stenciling program with your city. This discourages people from
dumping paint, trash, dog poop, oil, and soapy water from car washes in
storm drains, which often flows directly into lakes, rivers, and the
ocean.
14. Drink From a Reusable Bottle
All those single-serving bottles take water to produce.
15. Collect Rainwater in a Bucket or Barrel
Use it to water plants.
16. Drink Tap Water
Don’t buy bottled water and you’ll help keep water free of pollution from delivery trucks.
17. Water Your Garden or Lawn in the Early Morning
Water doesn’t evaporate as quickly when the air is cool, so you won’t need as much.
18. Recycle
Keep your trash out of water sources.
19. Volunteer
Give your time at a local aquarium.
20. Scrape Leftovers Into the Trash
Don’t rinse your food off your dishes and into the disposal. (Wash the dishes before food gets stuck on them.)
21. Keep Your Dog on a Leash
When you visit the beach or a lake, leash your dog so it won’t scare or harm the wildlife.
22. Team Up With National Geographic
Read A Cool Drink of Water, by Barbara Kerley, or visit our shop.
23. Collect Faucet Water
Don’t let the cold water run down the drain as you wait for it to get hot. Fill a water pitcher or use it to soak or rinse dishes.
24. Don’t Feed Water Animals
They need to find their own food to keep themselves and the environment healthy.
25. Share These Tips
Spread them to your friends and family.
Learn more about freshwater and the Earth at GeographyAwarenessWeek.org
Photograph by Ed Riche, My Shot
Comments
You must be logged in to post a comment.