10 tips to save water

1. Shower Bucket. Instead of letting the water pour down the drain, stick a bucket under the faucet while you wait for your shower water to heat up. You can use the water for flushing the toilet or watering your plants.

2.  Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth. Water comes out of the average faucet at 2.5 gallons per minute. Don’t let all that water go down the drain while you brush! Turn off the faucet after you wet your brush, and leave it off until it’s time to rinse.

3. Turn off the tap while washing your hands. Do you need the water to run while you’re scrubbing your hands? Save a few gallons of water and turn the faucet off after you wet your hands until you need to rinse.

4. If it’s yellow, let it mellow. This tip might not be for everyone, but the toilet is one of the most water-intensive fixtures in the house. Do you need to flush every time?

5. Fix your leaks. Whether you go DIY or hire a plumber, fixing leaky faucets can mean big water savings.

Water fact: The average American household uses 400 gallons of water per day!

6. Re-use your pasta cooking liquid. Instead of dumping that water down the drain, try draining your pasta water into a large pot. Once it cools, you can use it to water your plants. Just make sure you wait, because if you dump that boiling water on your plants, you might harm them.

7. Head to the car wash. If you feel compelled to wash your car, take it to a car wash that recycles the water, rather than washing at home with the hose.

8. Cut your showers short. Older shower heads can use as much as 5 gallons of water per minute. Speed things up in the shower for some serious water savings.

9. Choose efficient fixtures. Aerating your faucets, investing in a low-flow toilet, choosing efficient shower heads, and opting for a Water Sense rated dishwasher and washing machine can add up to big water savings.

10. Shrink your lawn. Even better: lose the lawn completely. Instead, opt for a xeriscaped landscape that incorporates water wise ground cover, succulents, and other plants that thrive in drought conditions.

Read more: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/20-ways-to-conserve-water-at-home.html#ixzz2wh75DUQj

22nd March- WORLD WATER DAY

EVERY DROP CAN MAKE THE DIFFERENCE!

That we cannot live without water evrybody knows but are we really aware of the amount of water we waste every single day of 

our lives?

Saving water seems to be the key for our survival and this means everyone of us is responsible for that.

Have you ever thought about this when you're brushing your teeth or taking a shower or even when you don't drink all the water you drop in your glass?

World Water Day has been observed on 22 March since 1993 when the United Nations General Assembly declared 22 March as "World Day for Water".

This day was first formally proposed in Agenda 21 of the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Observance began in 1993 and has grown significantly ever since; for the general public to show support, it is encouraged for the public to not use their taps throughout the whole day. The day has also become a popular Facebook trend.

The UN and its member nations devote this day to implementing UN recommendations and promoting concrete activities within their countries regarding the world's water resources. Each year, one of various UN agencies involved in water issues takes the lead in promoting and coordinating international activities for World Water Day. Since its inception in 2003, UN-Water has been responsible for selecting the theme, messages and lead UN agency for the World Day for Water.

In addition to the UN member states, a number of NGOs promoting clean water and sustainable aquatic habitats have used World Day for Water as a time to focus public attention on the critical water issues of our era. Every three years since 1997, for instance, the World Water Council has drawn thousands to participate in its World Water Forum during the week of World Day for Water. Participating agencies and NGOs have highlighted issues such as a billion people being without access to safe water for drinking and the role of gender in family access to safe water. In 2003, 2006, 2009, and 2012 the UN World Water Development Report was launched on the occasion of the World Water Day.

in Wikipedia

China: Cash reward for rescuing Yangtze finless porpoises

People who save a rare freshwater mammal found only in China's Yangtze River basin can claim a cash prize from the local fisheries bureau, it appears.

A Yangtze finless porpoise and her newborn swim in captivity

Reporting that a Yangtze finless porpoise has been injured or is at risk - and helping save the animal before officials arrive - could be rewarded with 300 yuan ($48, £29), the People's Daily newspaper says. A smaller reward of 100 yuan could be given to residents who report the death of a porpoise, or supply tips.

It is thought only about 1,000 of these freshwater animals remain in the wild. About half the population lives in Poyang Lake, which supplies the Yangtze River. The population has seen a dramatic crash recently, falling by nearly 14% each year since 2006, according to an official report from 2013.

Experts say pollution and low water levels are harming the fragile species. Poyang Lake used to be China's largest freshwater lake, but the construction of a dam and recent droughts have reportedly reduced its size by nearly 95%.

From BBC News

Paris restricts car use after pollution hits high

Alternate driving days are being introduced in the French capital, Paris, in an attempt to tackle dangerous levels of air pollution.

The problem was so serious that the government allowed free public transports for 3 days

Hugh Schofield in Paris: "At the end of last week it was bad - you really felt the catch in your throat"

From Monday, drivers will only be able to use their vehicles every other day.

This is only the second time since 1997 that such a restriction has been enforced.

The French government made the decision after air pollution exceeded safe levels for five days running in Paris and surrounding areas.

Motorcycles will also be covered by the ban, which will allow only vehicles with number plates terminating in an uneven digit to take to the roads, beginning at 05:30 (04:30 GMT) on Monday.

On Friday, public transport was made free of charge for three days in an attempt to encourage people to leave their cars at home. This measure will continue on Monday.

The smoggy conditions have been caused by a combination of cold nights and warm days, which have prevented pollution from dispersing.

The capital's air quality has been one of the worst on record, French environmental agencies say, rivalling the Chinese capital, Beijing, one of the world's most polluted cities.

On Friday, pollution levels hit 180 microgrammes of PM10 particulates per cubic metre, more than double the safe limit of 80.

PM10 particulates are emitted by vehicles, heating systems and heavy industry.

The government will review pollution levels on Monday, before deciding whether to extend the driving restrictions for longer.

From BBC Sci/ Environment