by Christina Hope

Created on: February 06, 2009

If Water, the essence of organic life, had any feelings, it would probably feel very much taken for granted. How ironic that the most valuable of our resources here on Earth, is wasted without thought or regard. How often do you let the water run in the kitchen or the bathroom, without giving one single thought as to how much you are wasting? How often does that daily shower take a little longer than necessary to accomplish the task of becoming clean? How often does a lawn really need to be watered? And why aren't we exercising our technologies in recycling irrigated water for that purpose more often? We, in the modern world waste water with impunity.

We do not need governments, corporations, the United Nations, the European Union or non-profits to enact further governing structures or systems on water consumption. However, this means we must take the appropriate measures now as individuals. The old adage that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts only holds water if the parts work in unison towards a common goal. I strongly believe that true change starts from within, and if we change at the grass roots level, our world will benefit for generations to come.

Perhaps the solution lies in creating a face for a cause that has for too long, been ignored. Forest fires have Smokey the Bear "Only YOU can prevent a forest fire", littering and pollution had the Owl - "Give a hoot, don't pollute" , but where is the icon for water conservation? Willy the Water-drop? Hank the Humidifier, Fred the Faucet, Davy the Dew Drop, Rita the Raindrop? Maybe if we put a face on the problem, people might identify with it. Trying something new certainly couldn't hurt.

I humbly argue against the popular perception, and hence, the underlying problem, that we are largely dependent on someone else, or something else to "fix" the bigger picture. The power to solve this crisis is within each and every person living on Earth. It begins with public awareness and prompt action. For no problem, large or small, can ever hope to have a resolution if we choose to remain ignorant of the facts, or focused upon changing the current political climate, to provide us with an easy answer. Choosing to conserve and be judicious with regard to water consumption is something we can all take part in. Must we rely on mandates to force us into habits which will ultimately moderate our behavior? If we continue to look to governments and corporations to resolve this issue, we will all eventually die of thirst. I shudder when I think that perhaps one day, future residents of this world or worlds to come, may view our outright apathy and complacence as silly.

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