One of the easiest ways to invest in the health of your body and mind is to drink water and think water throughout the day. As easy as this sounds my personal experience indicates at least 80% of the population seems to be chronically dehydrated. Since our body is made of approximately 75% water anything less than that amount indicates dehydration which impacts the quality of your life.
In his book’s “The Body’s Many Cries for Water” and “Water: For Health, for Healing, for Life: You’re Not Sick, You’re Thirsty!” Dr. Fereydoon Batmanghelidj discusses the many harmful consequences and disease that result from not consuming enough water to properly hydrate your body.
You may be asking why the majority of the population seems to be dehydrated when water is such an essential component of our physical health and well being. For the last several years this topic has been a key focus of many articles, books and presentations regarding the current global health care crisis and water crisis that directly and indirectly affects every person on earth.
Facts About Water
Water covers about 75% of the earth, yet many lack easy access to clean water and this is a critical concern for many of the world’s population. While many people have ample access to water they often take it for granted and are not aware of the quality of the water they are consuming. Nor are they aware of the risks and trends which are altering the course of mankind.
Many people have heard about their “carbon footprint” yet very few have heard about their “water footprint” which may be even more of an ecological concern. Growing hybrid or genetically engineered cotton and corn in the US for example requires an excessive amount of water and fertilizer. Hemp makes a great fabric which is easier to grow and requires much less water.
When discussing the sources of water there are many areas to consider such as: Glacier ice, Rain / Snow, Surface: lake, river and stream, Underground: aquifer, well, spring and Brackish & Salt water. Unfortunately other than some isolated pure glaciers or protected underground sources pumped from wells most of the water today is contaminated with harmful chemicals, compounds, metals, pathogens, pollutants and toxins.
Due to many factors such as surface and underground water rights & ownership, production costs for drilling and piping, technology challenges, pollution, transportation and distribution issues much of the world today depends on surface water as their primary source of water for consumption. As a result of contamination, politics and seasonal water shortages billions of people throughout the world do not have consistent access to the water they need to maintain their needs and health.
After oxygen access to adequate water consumption is our most essential basic human need for sustaining health and life. The quality and quantity of the water you consume has a direct bearing on your health and quality of life. The following information illustrates some of the biggest issues concerning water in our current times.
[colored_box title=”Water degradation, pollution and shortages around the world” variation=”teal”]
-Too many domestic animals and people competing for limited access to clean water for daily consumption and other needs.
1. Industrial water usage frequently leads to contamination and pollution.
2. Excessive commercial agriculture use of water for irrigation.
3. Excessive commercial agriculture use of water for raising and processing animals.
4. Contamination and pollution of water by agriculture chemicals, chemical spills and sewage treatment
5. Pollution and contamination of the air which ends up in our waters.
6. Dumping trash and waste materials directly into our water systems.
7. Clean water is constantly wasted on decorative landscaping, lawns and leaking pipelines.
8. Mismanagement of farming in the use of hybrids and genetically inferior plants that require more irrigation and supplemental watering.
9. Excess pumping from underground aquifers and water reserves causes land subsidence and the normal water table to drop leading to ecological issues.
10 The use of harmful cleaners, bar soaps, dish soaps, laundry soaps, shampoos, toothpastes and other compounds when natural choices are available
11. Individual swimming pools use many toxic chemicals and allow significant water to evaporate.
12. Mining and Petroleum production create major contamination and pollution of lakes, rivers, oceans and underground water systems.
13. Fecal contamination with excessive antibiotics, hormones and pathogens from domestic animals and human waste that is not properly treated.
14. Water that is stored in plastic bottles which leaches plastic into the water.
15. Water that is treated with harmful chemicals (chlorine & fluoride)
16. Many reverse osmosis water filters are very inefficient and create more waste water than filtered water.
17. Excess water (grey water) wasted from sinks, showers, tubs and toilets.[/colored_box]
11 Actions to Reduce Water Waste
With all these issues and many others to consider you may be wondering what a person can do to insure adequate consumption of water and ways to reduce wasting water. Here are some simple solutions and steps you can implement and begin to make a global difference on the availability and quality of global water.
- Consume more water by consuming a mineral, vitamin and water rich plant based lifestyle.
- Think about the global water issues and find 7 ways you can be a steward for conservation.
- Only plant natural bushes, grasses, plants, shrubs and trees that do not require extensive sprinklers and irrigation. Plants that produce food are even better.
- Encourage architects, businesses, communities and engineers to install water saving devices and toilets in buildings, homes and public facilities.
- Collect grey water and use it to water your garden and house plants.
- Reduce your consumption of animal products that require large quantities of water (all animals require lots of water for their food production and processing.
- Reduce the use of all products that contaminate water and find natural and safe alternatives.
- Promote and support community and political actions that protect and preserve the quality of water. Be vocal about your concerns regarding health and nutrition policies.
- Encourage grants, investments and research and development to come up with water delivery, purification and saving technology.
- Collect and store rain water for the dry season to help water your plants and support birds and animals.
- Support the use of global initiatives to educate and train the world’s population on more efficient and effective water suggestions, solutions and systems to preserve and protect our precious water resources around the world.
While water may appear abundant, accessible and cheap across the globe it is important to understand that pure water is one of our most precious and scarce resources. Therefore to protect and preserve this key resource as you improve your health and happiness be sure to drink water and think water throughout the day.
Our next blog post will be on: Allergy Avoidance
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