Why does your water footprint matter?
Water is the source of all life on Earth. It might feel like an endless resource, but just a tiny fraction of the water that exists is ‘freshwater’ – drinkable water from streams, rivers, and lakes, as opposed to salty ocean water.
As climate change worsens, the world’s freshwater resources are increasingly under threat. Unpredictable weather, drought, and drying up lakes and riverbeds are already causing water scarcity for millions.
At the same time, our consumption of freshwater resources is rising faster than the planet can sustain. Industrial processes in agriculture, textiles, and energy production mean that the average American now uses 657,730 gallons of freshwater per year.
The good news is that every one of us can take action. By changing the way we consume, we can reduce our water footprint and move our systems towards more sustainable practices that protect our planet and the environment.
Find out what you can do to shrink your water footprint! Take the quiz.