Water Wars: Bell Ringer

1. Water Wars: Bell Ringer Water is essential to life.  In many parts of the world, especially in the developed world, water is often thought of as an endlessly renewable resource.  Water scarcity already directly affects a third of the world’s population, creating or exacerbating a host of health related problems such as malnutrition, cholera, typhoid fever, dysentery, malaria, and dengue fever, among many others.  According to the World Health Organization, water scarcity is getting worse, not better.  Despite the worsening condition, water is not managed in a sustainable way in many places.  Answer the following questions: Make sure to explain why you feel that way for full credit  1. If it is essential to health and survival, should access to water be a human right?   2. Should everyone have equal access to water?  3. Should businesses and individuals have the same access to water? 4. And what is the role of the individual consumer?

2. Water Wars • We will be engaging in a learning unit focused on water scarcity that will address the environment, economics, globalization, and responsibility.  You will be asked to consider the factors which contribute to water scarcity and to imagine and think through whom should be responsible for improving water management

3. Water Wars • Copy the following graph, you will be filling this in while you watch a segment called “Water Wars” • You need to describe each group’s point of view and actions in regards to Coca-Cola related water scarcity in India. •  Although the video does not clearly describe the point of view of each of these groups, you need to make educated guesses when necessary.   • After the chart is filled outyou will be answering the following questions: Who is responsible for ensuring that water is not over used?  Who should be responsible for ensuring that water is not over used?  Ask students to explain their reasoning. http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/asia/july-dec08/waterwars_11-17.html

4. Water Wars • Looking at the chart you created answer the following questions • Who is responsible for ensuring that water is not over used? •   Who should be responsible for ensuring that water is not over used?  Make sure you explain your reasoning

5. Water Wars: Assignment 1 • Write down the last three items you purchased from a store and where you purchased them. Under each product, write down your reasons for your purchase, considering the following questions: 1. Why did you buy that particular product over others? 2. How did you choose where to buy it from? Reasons may include: convenience, price, attractiveness, ethics of the company, etc. 1 2 3

6. Water Wars • Paperless credit card statements • Store emails instead of paper catalogs • Chipotle • Starbucks has green advocates smiling about its “bean-to-cup” approach, which stresses top efficiency at each link of its global supply chain. By all measures the program appears to be a great success, with the company’s decision to use coffee cup sleeves made of recycled paper saving roughly 78,000 trees per year since 2006. Starbucks has also partnered up with many environmental organizations, from Conservation International to the Earthwatch Institute, in efforts to do right by the communities it operates in. • Home Depot is another ex-offender who has taken great pains to turn things around. Once the Rainforest Action Network identified the company as the world’s largest retailer of old-growth wood products, demonstrations and protests unfolded at Home Depot stores around the nation. When the outcry reached the point of 45,000 customer calls and letters, the bigwigs at Home Depot decided that enough was enough. Within months, the company rolled out a new “no old-growth sales” policy to ensure consumers and activists that the days of harvesting trees from old-growth rainforests were over. • Time was not long ago when McDonalds wouldn’t have come within striking distance of making this list. However, the increasing public shift toward greener living has sent a clear signal to the powers that be at the popular fast-food chain. Instead of ravaging the natural habitats of animals, McDonalds now works in close collaboration with PETA on systematically reforming its business practices to be more humane and friendly to the environment in which they operate. • Toyota is famous for offering the Prius, the world’s first mass-market hybrid vehicle. The popular car is now sold in over 40 countries The Environmental Protection Agency has recognized Toyota’s efforts as well, crowning the Prius and its 48MPG as the most fuel-efficient car available for purchase in the U.S. Similar authorities in the United Kingdom have applauded the Prius, namely the UK Department of Transport, who ranked the vehicle as the third least carbon-emitting auto in the country • Brooks has joined the race to go green by cleverly rolling out a completely biodegradable running shoe. According to a C/Net report, the $140 BioMoGo is just as durable during the time you wear them as any other mass-market shoe. The decomposition doesn’t begin until the shoes are stored in an active enclosed landfill, at which point they will biodegrade in just 20 years instead of the 1,000 years traditional, ethylene vinyl ecetate soles hang around for. If Brooks’ predictions are accurate, the BioMoGo will save up to 30 million pounds of landfill waste over those same 20 years.

7. Water Wars: Bell Ringer • Did you know the average family of four uses about 20,000 gallons of water • Brainstorm ways to conserve water • Home water use is only a small fraction of the water we use.  Almost everything we do requires water.  As we saw in the video about Coca-Cola in India, a lot of water is required to make soft drinks, much more water than is used for the actual Coke.  This is not only true of beverages, but is also true of all of the food and products we buy, as well as much of the energy we use. 

8. Adjust sprinklers so only your lawn is watered and not the house, sidewalk, or street. • Run your clothes washer and dishwasher only when they are full. You can save up to 1,000 gallons a month. • Plant in the fall when conditions are cooler and rainfall is more plentiful. • For cold drinks keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator instead of running the tap. This way, every drop goes down you and not the drain. • Water your lawn and garden in the morning or evening when temperatures are cooler to minimize evaporation. • Wash your fruits and vegetables in a pan of water instead of running water from the tap. • Use a broom instead of a hose to clean your driveway and sidewalk and save water every time. • Collect the water you use for rinsing fruits and vegetables, then reuse it to water houseplants. • If water runs off your lawn easily, split your watering time into shorter periods to allow for better absorption. • We're more likely to notice leaks indoors, but don't forget to check outdoor faucets, sprinklers and hoses for leaks. • Shorten your shower by a minute or two and you'll save up to 150 gallons per month. • When cleaning out fish tanks, give the nutrient-rich water to your plants. • Use sprinklers for large areas of grass. Water small patches by hand to avoid waste. • When running a bath, plug the tub before turning the water on, then adjust the temperature as the tub fills up. • Collect water from your roof to water your garden. • Designate one glass for your drinking water each day or refill a water bottle. This will cut down on the number of glasses to wash. • Don't use running water to thaw food. Defrost food in the refrigerator for water efficiency and food safety. • Grab a wrench and fix that leaky faucet. It's simple, inexpensive, and you can save 140 gallons a week. • When doing laundry, match the water level to the size of the load. • Teach children to turn off faucets tightly after each use. • Use a water-efficient showerhead. They're inexpensive, easy to install, and can save you up to 750 gallons a month.Don't water your lawn on windy days when most of the water blows away or evaporates. • To decrease water from being wasted on sloping lawns, apply water for five minutes and then repeat two to three times. • Group plants with the same watering needs together to avoid overwatering some while underwatering others. • Use a commercial car wash that recycles water. • Avoid recreational water toys that require a constant flow of water. • Turn off the water while brushing your teeth and save 25 gallons a month. • Encourage your school system and local government to develop and promote water conservation among children and adults. • Set a kitchen timer when watering your lawn or garden to remind you when to stop. A running hose can discharge up to 10 gallons a minute. • When you save water, you save money on your utility bills too. Saving water is easy for everyone to do. • Share water conservation tips with friends and neighbors. • Washing dark clothes in cold water saves both on water and energy while it helps your clothes to keep their colors. • Use sprinklers that deliver big drops of water close to the ground. Smaller water drops and mist often evaporate before they hit the ground. • Water only when necessary. More plants die from over-watering than from under-watering. • One more way to get eight glasses of water a day is to re-use the water left over from cooked or steamed foods to start a nutritious soup. • Adjust your watering schedule each month to match seasonal weather conditions and landscape requirements. • Turn off the water while you wash your hair to save up to 150 gallons a month. • Wash your pets outdoors in an area of your lawn that needs water. • Apply water only as fast as the soil can absorb it. • Turn off the water while you shave and save up to 300 gallons a month. • When you give your pet fresh water, don't throw the old water down the drain. Use it to water your trees or shrubs. • If you accidentally drop ice cubes when filling your glass from the freezer, don't throw them in the sink. Drop them in a house plant instead. • While staying in a hotel or even at home, consider reusing your towels. • When you have ice left in your cup from a take-out restaurant, don't throw it in the trash, dump it on a plant. • When you are washing your hands, don't let the water run while you lather.

9. Water Wars • Create a poster promoting 1-2 ways to help conserve water • To get full credit your poster needs the following details Color Pictures 1-2 ways to help conserve water 1-2 reasons to make a change Neatly answer the following questions on a separate sheet of paper: 1. How did you feel when you were forced to think about every drop of water you used? 2. Why do you think so many people do not follow simple steps to conserve water?  How could we encourage people to do so?

10. Conserve Water To help save the planet Use rainwater to water your garden and grass Do your part by making small lifestyle changes When washing dishes by hand, don't let the water run while rinsing. Fill up the sink with water instead

11. Every living thing needs water to survive. Do your part to help conserve water and save lives. Small changes can make a big difference! Collect the water you use for rinsing fruits and vegetables, then reuse it to water houseplants. Soak pots and pans instead of letting the water run while you scrape them clean

12. Appropriate

13. Extra Credit • Commit to 5 ways to conserve, write down what those ways are and how you are going to work on keeping your commitment • After conserving water for the week answer the following questions: • How does it feel to conserve water?  Was it difficult to break your habits?  Was it annoying?  Frustrating?  Did you feel good about yourself after conserving?