We know that water makes up most of our Earth. It is an essential part of our lives. We need it for drinking. We need it for our plants. We need it for the animals. We need it for our work. We need it for everything! We also know that humans are damaging our water supplies. How are we doing this?
We use a lot of water. We use it for farming, drinking, and in our businesses. We use too much water at times. We need to conserve our water. How do you do this? Turn off the water when you're brushing your teeth. Take shorter showers. Take smaller baths. Check your house for leaks. There are many things you can do at home to conserve water. Can you think of some more?
Water pollution is also damaging our water supplies. Many people in the world do not have enough clean water. One in eight people in the world does not have clean water to drink. Imagine eight people in the room. One of those people will not have enough clean water. When that person drinks dirty water they can get very sick. It is important to keep our freshwater clean! We also need to make sure everyone can have potable water.
Sometimes pollution causes acid rain. When factories or cars burn fuel harmful gases are released. These gases combine with oxygen and water in the air. When it rains these gases come down, too. The acid rain falls into our water supplies. Acid rain is harmful to all life on Earth. How do we stop this? We can use cars less. We can find safer fuel to use. We can find better ways to make things. It is not easy, but we can do it.
Trash is also damaging our water supplies. We throw away so much garbage every day. Sometimes that garbage ends up in our rivers, lakes, and oceans. The trash harms the plants and animals in these places. With no plants, or animals, we don't have food. Without food we starve.
Water is important for all life on Earth. Let's keep it clean, and safe for everyone.