World Conservation Day is celebrated on July 28 every year and serves as a reminder of our collective responsibility to preserve and protect the natural resources that we depend on. This day encourages us to take action and reflect on how we can contribute to a sustainable future. Recent alarming facts about water shortages highlight the urgency of this issue. For example:
- Did you know that 2.2 billion people worldwide lack access to safe drinking water?1
- Or that by 2025, it is estimated that half of the world’s population will be living in water-stressed areas?2
- In sub-Saharan Africa, 1 in 3 people face water scarcity and do not have enough water to meet their daily needs.3
This lack of clean and safe water around the world has deadly consequences.
- Nearly 1 million people die each year from water, sanitation, and hygiene-related diseases.4
- And since agriculture accounts for approximately 70% of global freshwater withdrawals, the lack of water limits crop yields and put a strain on food sources.5
Drivers of Water Scarcity
Population growth, urbanization and climate change all exacerbate water scarcity. Climate change and GHG emissions have altered precipitation pattens, reduced glacial ice and increased the frequency and severity of droughts. To top it off, there is great economic disparity when it comes to access and consumption. High income countries use 10 times more water per person than low-income countries. The average water footprint per person per day in the United States is 2,842 litres where as in countries like China, it is 1,089 liters per day6.
These facts are stark reminders that many of Earth’s resources are finite, and the more we consume, the faster they will run out. Water, an essential element of all life on Earth, is being consumed at a faster rate than it can renew, thus it is imperative we take steps to ensure a sustainable future for this precious resource.
The Importance of Water Conservation
Water is essential for all forms of life. From drinking and sanitation to agriculture and industry, water is a fundamental part of our daily lives. However, only 1% of the Earth’s water is readily available for human use. The rest is either saltwater or trapped in glaciers and ice caps. As the global population grows and climate change exacerbates water scarcity, the need for effective water conservation becomes increasingly urgent.
Ensuring Availability: Conserving water helps ensure that there is enough clean water available for future generations. It helps mitigate the impacts of droughts and reduces the pressure on natural water bodies.
Protecting Ecosystems: Many ecosystems, such as wetlands and rivers, rely on adequate water levels to maintain their health and biodiversity. Conserving water helps protect these critical habitats and the species that depend on them.
Reducing Energy Use: The extraction, treatment, and distribution of water require significant amounts of energy. By conserving water, we can also reduce energy consumption and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
What Industries Can Do to Help Conserve Water
In our line of work, we often find ourselves in water-stressed areas with limited access to water, let alone safe drinking water. These areas are often prone to long stretches of dry season which contributes to dust pollution. Sustained inhalation of airborne dust can lead to a whole set of other health challenges on its own.
For areas that lack water, we have seen what an impact our DUST/BLOKR dust suppressant can have on the roads and on the nearby communities. Cypher Environmental’s DUST/BLOKR® is an environmentally friendly, non-toxic, non-corrosive and organic dust suppressant that can utilize any quality of water to treat a large area.
The unique blend of sugars and starches utilizes functional properties to bind, harden and encapsulate any loose particulate matter. Water is added to the highly concentrated product allowing for suspension of the active components. After it is applied, the water evaporates when exposed to the air and the molecules bind together to form a cohesive matrix. The newly formed matrix will attract and bind together any loose particulate it becomes in contact with.
Over time, and with further evaporation, the solution becomes firm and hardens to form a crust. The result is a drastic reduction in dust control maintenance requirements, using less water!
What’s more – DUST/BLOKR is distributed as a highly concentrated liquid which reduces the cost of shipping and emissions generated during transport.
Our customer, Shenhua Beidian Shengli mine, the mining company was able to reduce water consumption by as much as 85%+.
About DUST/BLOKR
Cypher Environmental’s DUST/BLOKR is meticulously engineered to offer unparalleled effectiveness as non-corrosive, environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional dust suppressants. DUST/BLOKR is an innovative solution that provides superior dust control on unpaved roads of any material type, ensuring a smoother and safer road surface.
Minimal Obstacle to Implementation
DUST/BLOKR is applied using standard techniques; no specialized equipment is required. Once sprayed onto the road surface and allowed to cure, dust control results can be seen immediately.
Improves the Roads’ Engineering Properties
Our weather-proof formula guarantees long-lasting performance, reducing the frequency of applications and cutting down on road maintenance costs significantly.
You Can Start Small
Not everyone has the ability to influence purchasing decisions of major corporations – we get it. Here are some smaller everyday actions you can take to help reduce your water footprint.
- Use Water Wisely: Simple habits like turning off the tap while brushing your teeth, taking shorter showers, and only running dishwashers and washing machines with full loads can save a lot of water.
- Support Sustainable Practices: Advocate for and support practices and industries that use water efficiently and sustainably.
- Educate and Advocate: Spread the word about the importance of water conservation. Use social media, blogs, and community events to raise awareness and encourage others to take action.
World Conservation Day is not just a day to reflect on the state of our planet but a call to action for each of us to contribute to a sustainable future. Focusing on water conservation this year highlights the critical importance of preserving this vital resource. By understanding the importance of water conservation and taking actionable steps in our daily lives, we can collectively make a significant impact. Let’s use this day to recommit ourselves to the cause of conserving water for future generations.
Sources
Unicef Data: July 2023 Universal access to safe drinking water is a fundamental need and human right.
United Nations Global Issues Water
World Health Organization African Region: Health Topics Water