To combat the rapid depletion of the world's water resources, we advocate for the hierarchy of water preservation. This ladder can apply to just about any resource, whether it be energy, food, shelter or more.
At the base of the hierarchy is the sustainable conservation of water. The goal is to treat water like it is a scarce resource and opt to save it rather than spend it. Withdrawing water is like taking money out of a bank; keeping it in our metaphorical 'savings account' returns interest in the form of environmental prosperity.
There are plenty of avenues to preserve water in this way. It can be as simple as managing invasive planting in community property developments, growing less water-intensive crops such as war-inspiring avocados in Mexico, or managing the number of leisure pursuits using large volumes of water and their effects, like golf courses.
Keeping water where it belongs continues the planet's delicate environmental balance, keeps aquatic habitats safe, and maintains the integrity of our precious watersheds. This, in turn, safeguards our communities and farms from the effects of climate events. Harmonizing with nature shows that we recognize its intrinsic value and ensures ongoing access for future generations.
As you might expect, this option isn't always sufficient to meet our needs. Water is the most important resource for commerce and human life - just three days without it can have fatal consequences.
This leads us to the second tier of the hierarchy: efficient use. What we withdraw we should sparingly and resourcefully. Finding ways to reduce unnecessary water consumption will have a tremendous impact on our sustainability.
Agriculture, industry and housing can all make cuts to their water usage through a variety of methods. Thanks to optimized technology, we are able to detect water leaks and remedy them as quickly as possible. Water recycling can be used for agriculture, while homes and businesses can use greywater in gardens and toilets. Drip irrigation and other water-saving strategies can be employed to receive the most value from our limited withdrawals. Education and awareness are other tactics that can lead to the promotion of water-conscious behaviors.
But what if we are unable to increase our efficiency to meet the needs of everyone while maintaining coexistence with nature? In that case, we defer to the final stage of the hierarchy: accessing additional sources of water.
Desalination can allow saltwater to be converted into safe drinking water. Though, just like dams, it can have environmental side effects and encourage waste.
Different methods of water harvesting can be employed through rainwater collection tanks or water-from-air technologies like SOURCE hydropanels. These have the added benefits of reducing water treatment and distribution costs while improving independence.
Although not in the hierachy, it's important to note the role that people-centrered systems, funding, and continuous maintenance play in preserving water. They are crucial to ensuring the model persists in good working order and maximizing available resources from the options selected.
Effective Climate Solutions provides structured advice that enables resilient, independent and self-sufficient communities. It is our mission to prepare them for the storms of tomorrow, today. We encourage you to reach out and learn more about ways you can embrace the hierarchy of water.
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