Water in the World

Foto: iStock

Water is a valuable asset indispensable for our survival and that of all living beings. And, contrary to what was said in the past, it is an exhaustible resource. Brazil is a privileged country, as it holds 13% of the Earth’s fresh water. This water is distributed in our country in a very diverse way: 80% of this volume is found in the Amazon, where the population is less concentrated.

Of all the water on the planet, 97% is salt, coming from seas and oceans. The other 3% is fresh, drinking water. Of this share, 70% is found in the polar ice caps, 29% in rivers and freshwater lakes, and 1% is water supply.

Remember that water constitutes 70% of the human body and 50 to 90% of almost all vegetables and fruits: watermelon, for example, has approximately 90% water. Nowadays, our greatest challenge is to transform habits and behaviors based on the belief that water is infinite and find ways to avoid its waste.

How can we do that?

Simple attitudes can help the planet and ourselves:

• Turn off the tap when brushing your teeth or shaving. Leaving it open, consumes approximately 20 more liters of water;
• Try to take baths of up to 5 minutes and always turn off the tap while soaping;
• When scrubbing clothes, keep the washtub tap closed and open it only when rinsing;
• Use a bucket instead of a hose to wash the car;
• Never use water to sweep the sidewalk, patios, gardens and backyards;
• Repair all leaks. A dripping tap consumes 46 liters of water per day and, in one month, 1,380 liters.

Let’s get started, shall we?