Earlier today the AMANPOUR. team spoke with Alexandra Cousteau, granddaughter of the famed scientist. She spoke to us from Mount Kilimanjaro, where activists and celebrities like Jessica Biel are joining in a summit there to discuss the worldwide problems facing water usage and contamination.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE CONVERSATION FROM MOUNT KILIMANJARO
Know your impact:
Recognize how conservation is an important part of the crisis and reduce your “blue footprint”…
o Keep your shower under 5 minutes and save 1,000 gallons a month.
o According to the Washington Post, “Just one flush of a toilet in the West uses more water than most Africans have to perform an entire day’s washing, cleaning, cooking and drinking.”
o You don’t ALWAYS have to flush. When possible, skip flushing and save 5-7 gallons of water.
o Wash your laundry only when you have a full load and save 600 to 1,000 gallons of water each month.
o Put food coloring in your toilet tank. If it seeps into the bowl, you have a leak. It’s easy to fix and can save 600-1,000 gallons a month.
o Use a water-efficient showerhead; they’re inexpensive, easy to install, and can save up to 750 gallons a
month.
o Get a PUR pitcher, it removes 98% of contaminates in US drinking water, and avoid the waste of plastic bottles.
o Plant a low water use plant and save up to 550 gallons of water per year.
o Turn off the water while brushing your teeth and save up to 4 gallons a minute. That’s 200 gallons a week for a family of four.
o Fix a leaky faucet and save up to 140 gallons a week.
o Use a hose nozzle and turn off the water while you wash your car to save more than 100 gallons.
o Use a broom to clean the sidewalk or driveway instead of a hose and save up to 80 gallons every time.