.png)
Have you noticed that some patches of grass are looking a bit brown and the ground is quite hard and dusty – you might even have noticed cracks appearing in the mud? Can you think why this might be? This month is on course to be one the driest Aprils on record in the UK – it’s looking like we will receive less than a fifth of our average April rainfall.
Yet can you remember all those floods as a result of Storm Dennis last spring? Sometimes it seems we have too much rainfall, and other times not enough!
Do you think we sometimes take water for granted? Water can cause enormous damage and yet water is also fundamental to life. In many parts of the world, especially in Africa and parts of Asia, people can be overwhelmed by too much water, and yet months later wait in desperation for the next rains to ensure they can grow enough food to eat.
Have you any idea how much water you use in a week – you might like to try and work it out? (The average individual in the UK uses 140 litres of water per day. A typical bath takes 80 litres. A dripping tap can waste 95 litres in a day!!) Have you noticed any dripping taps recently? Do you leave your tap running when you brush your teeth? Do you indulge in a super long shower? Your challenge is to save water this week – can you be super vigilant and turn it off? Can you set a 5-minute limit on your showers? One Young Climate Warrior told us he plays a favourite song and makes sure he finishes his shower before the song ends! If you leave the tap running whilst brushing your teeth… have you ever thought that you are wasting 5 litres of water for every minute that you leave it on … Can you switch it off this week?
It's not just heating water that creates carbon emissions, they are also generated when we use energy to pump, treat and deliver cold water to our homes and to dispose of waste water.
Remember to HIT THE RED BUTTON and tell us when you have switched off those taps!
What do you think is the link between Climate Change and water? Climate Change is and will have greatest impact on people through water – whether that is because of too much water, or too little: storms, droughts, melting glaciers, rising sea-levels. In many parts of the world it will affect the availability of clean drinking water – droughts dry up springs, and floods can pollute water sources. Climate change and its impact on water resources is is expected to make it more difficult to grow and transport food and lead to hygiene and sanitation problems including water-borne diseases. Flooding and droughts can have a big impact on children – sometimes making it impossible for them to go to school.
Wateraid is a charity that works with partner organisations to help ensure communities around the world have a steady supply of clean water - whatever the weather. You may like to watch this WaterAid video clip to learn a bit more about climate change and water.
In the UK we are very fortunate to have fresh drinking water at the turn of a tap, and the resources to help our communities deal with floods. When you have saved water this week, and thought about worldwide water issues, don’t forget to HIT THE RED BUTTON.
PS: and if you’re asked to wash your car… remember to save water - use a bucket and sponge and not the hosepipe!
