“Water is life – Respect it, Conserve it, Enjoy it” – as this year’s theme suggests. National Water Week coincides with World Water Day on 22 March, and the UN General Assembly has also dedicated 2013 as the Year of Water Co-operation.
Let’s remember that every single individual and institution has a part to play in conserving water where possible, and using it sustainably. South Africa is a water-scarce country and this campaign seeks to raise awareness, both about the potential for increased co-operation, and the challenges for water management in light of the increase in demand for access, allocation and services.
What is your attitude towards water? How do you value water? Are you wasteful or mindful?
Let water and the urgent need to preserve it become the rallying point that brings us together as South Africans. Regardless of race, class, gender or religion, we all need access to clean water.
Water tips
About 70% of our planet is covered by water. Human bodies also comprise 70% water. Without it we would die, and so would the planet.
However, if water is the dominant substance, if water is the essence of life, why do we pollute it, squander it, fight over it? As Jacques Cousteau pointed out, “we forget that the water cycle and the life cycle are one”.
Here at the Two Oceans Aquarium we support the work of FLOW: For Love Of Water. Check out their fun water-saving tips below:
1. Sleep less – wake up earlier to water your garden.
2. Be a drip – don’t spray your plants.
3. Don’t kick the bucket – use it to water your plants.
4. Go bos with water-wise fynbos.
5. Exercise more – sweep with a broom, don’t hose dirt away.
6. Surprise your neighbour – shower outside in the rain.
7. Save building costs – grow a garden on your roof.
8. Go with the flow – fit a water-efficient shower head.
9. Have fun – bathe with a good-looking friend.
10. Audition for Idols – shower for no more than four minutes.
11. Take a cold shower – it makes for an invigorating start to the day.
12. Fit aerators to all your taps – they can reduce consumption by as much as 50%
For more about the FLOW campaign, check out the videos below, featuring Zolani Mahola, lead singer of Freshlyground, and Hanli Prinsloo, South African freediving expert.
(Watch Zolani and Hanli performing together at the Two Oceans Aquarium back in 2010.)
Stay in touch: for daily Aquarium updates, follow us on Twitter (@2OceansAquarium) and become a fan on Facebook.
