Possible Solutions

There are many possible ways to get involved, and help solve some of the world water shortages. Below is a short video about lifeStraw, A new personal water purification system under development. It can provide clean water to a person for up to a year at a cost of two dollars. Unfortunately this new life sustaining tool is not in practical use, though it is still in-development if you visit www.lifeStraw.com  or click on the link in the blogroll or links page you will find a place to donate. Your donation will help fund the continuation of this project to reach the Millennium Development goal of ‘reducing by half the proportion of people without sustainble access to safe drinking water’.
  

Tips for being green in the bathroom

 

Quick tipsConserve waterDutch academic Dr Jan Kooijman suggests that using water wisely is as important, if not more so, than recycling.Don’t run the tap when you brush your teethRinsing your toothbrush and turning the tap off again rather than leaving it running takes no effort at all, but if everyone in the UK did this, the amount of water saved would be enormous.Have a shower instead of a bathShowering can use two to three times less water than having a bath.Replace ordinary light bulbs with energy efficient onesThey might cost more initially, but they last much longer and are significantly better for the environment.Turn the lights off when you leave a roomThis is one of the easiest things anyone can do — and the difference it can make to the amount of energy we consume is considerable.Turn your thermostat downYour thermostat should be at about 60°C — if it is hotter than that, you’re wasting money and energy.More tipsBuy a dual flush looIf you’re buying a new toilet, make sure it has a dual flush.Choose the right boiler

• Condensing boilers are 90% efficient (they reclaim some of the heat from the flue gases)
• Combination boilers are 80% efficient, only heating water when it is needed
• Conventional boilers are only 75-80% efficient, older ones can be nearer 60%.

Fix dripping tapsDripping taps mean you’re wasting water. Check your taps and replace worn-out washers.Install spray taps in new sinks and bathsSpray taps use less water than normal taps.Only flush paperThings like nappies, condoms and cotton buds shouldn’t be flushed down the toilet — they should be bagged and binned.Put a water-saving device in your cistern

Water saving devices in your cistern help to conserve water. Your water company will probably provide one for free. For More tips Visit www.channel4.com/science/microsites/E/environment/help.html