Many people live in states and regions that are suffering from drought. About 55 million people are affected by lack of water now and if trends continue by 2030, about 700 million people will be. Some of the reasons water shortages are occurring are due to global warming’s rising temperatures, as well as changing weather patterns. Climate change is increasing the moisture and water of wet regions and dries out dry regions because the moisture evaporates more quickly. Climate change’s effects on weather and disaster patterns include an increase in the occurrence of them. This means that droughts are thought to continue to worsen. This is why it is important to be conscious of your water use, especially if you live in dry areas.
- Take shorter showers: this is a common tip for reducing water usage at home. Specifically, you could think about buying a timer for your showers, play a song that acts as a timer, or simply just keep track using a clock.
- Don’t keep the water running: whether you are brushing your teeth, cleaning the dishes, or using the sink for other purposes, keeping the water running when it isn’t necessary wastes a lot. Try to be aware of your habits and turn off the running water.
- Buy plants that need less water: plants like succulents, snake plants, and lavender need less water and are especially good plants to choose if you are a beginning gardener as well.
- Know how much water your food takes: foods like almonds take a lot of water to grow and harvest. Instead, try others like walnuts or pecans. In addition, beef, rice, sugar, and avocados take high amounts of water to produce. Look for brands that find innovative ways to reduce the amount of water used or find alternatives to these.
- Only run full loads of laundry and full loads of dishes in the dishwasher. Try to maximize the amount of clothing or dishes you can fit into the laundry machine or dishwasher. This wastes less water overall.
- Thrift clothing: it takes a lot of water to produce textiles, especially jeans and cotton. If you choose to buy new, see if you can invest in a long-lasting pair or a pair from a more sustainable store.
Sources:
“Drought.” Www.Who.Int, https://www.who.int/health-topics/drought#tab=tab_1
Fotios, Lisa. “Body of Water Photography,” Pexels, 1 Apr. 2017, http://www.pexels.com/photo/body-of-water-photography-734973/. Accessed 18 Dec. 2020.
September 13, and 2018 Melissa Denchak. “Drought: Everything You Need to Know.” NRDC, www.nrdc.org/stories/drought-everything-you-need-know#causes
ecoyouth.org 
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