Makers of the Future (Water Footprint and Climate Change)

Oct 6, 2016 by Marie Mitchelle Bayaborda

“Every action has an equal opposite reaction.” This is what what we’re always taught. Although I don’t think we realise just how heavy the true value of this statement. We talk much about progress, advancements, innovations - of technology and of humans. But what I don’t think we’ve discussed much about is the backlash that comes with it. What everyone must realise is that despite living in an age where technology and innovation rules almost every aspect of our lives, we need to take a step back, look at the world and just think about what we’ve lost to get what we currently have. Whether we realise it or not, our advancements, innovations and technologies and almost all of the things we’ve called progress have all contributed to climate change.

Water is a vital part of every life form. Thus, saying that we’d all perish without it is a fact. With the increasing global temperature we, humans, are nonchalantly consuming more water to relieve our discomforts. The fact that this is the current situation, is something I find quite absurd. We, who are responsible for the increasing global temperature due to our humanly activities, are the same ones complaining about the aftermath. On another note, if we continue our actions with regards to our water consummations, the increasing global temperature will not be the only thing we would be complaining about.

The Earth is 75% water, yet only 3% is fresh water and less than the 1% of that is readily available for our consummation. How ironic is it for us to have a planet with more than enough water to sustain every single life form yet at the same time, have us single handedly deplete this amount into a number barely able to give sustenance for every human being in the planet? Not to mention there are still the trees to think about, and the animals too.

In an activity we did in our Advanced Environmental Education class, we found out just how much cubic meters of water we are consuming. On an average, the different households of the entire class consumes 36.60 cubic meters of water. But we have to take note that this is just an average, some families use up to almost 60 cubic meters - my family personally uses about 50 cubic meters. In another activity, each member in the class was tasked to find out their water footprints through a water calculator. I found out my water footprint was below the average US water footprint was actually quite shocking.

Personally, I am someone who is not really mindful when it comes to water consummation - therefore knowing these numbers were a shock. After these activities, I realise that it’s actually a negative thing. Not the fact that my water footprint was below average or that my household uses quite a large amount of water, but rather being unaware of it.

In another activity we did, we had to play a simulation in which we took the role of a president. This simulation had us pick policies which should be implemented must benefit not only the constituency but also have environmental effects as well as raise popularity for future elections. Sadly, I lost the simulation for I lost the election due to the fact that my popularity was at 0%. Maybe I can attribute it to not fully grasping the concept of the game and what exactly I have to do but nevertheless I believe that this simple simulation opened my eyes to the harsh reality currently happening.

The fact that the policies that we had to choose from policies which have a popular demand yet have drastic impact on the environment tells much about our mentality today. We neglect thinking and discussing about these types of aftermath in order to satisfy our demands. We prioritise our selfish wants over the fact that we are destroying our environment which is really quite absurd. Do we not realise that God has created the environment to sustain all our needs. He designed the world capable of life and sustaining it and here we are demanding more from His creation. He owes us nothing, we owe Him everything.

In all honesty, as someone who has a personal advocacy for ‘going green’, I realise that not realising of my own actions and the effects it brings, makes it hypocritical. Even though I do try to save water in my own way the mere fact that I do not actually make sure that I am able to, is something I need to change.

I don’t think people realise the heavy importance of personal reflection. To be aware with what are the effects of the steps we are taking is actually taking a leap from the theoretical to the practical. Awareness is essential - it brings about action. Not only that but without being aware, it would be a waste of time and effort if we choose to do something that we are not even sure that will make a difference. Being aware is the first step we take to be able to help our ailing planet. Our response to the call to help, must start from our very core or every attempt would be futile.

Therefore, with all these activities, data gathering and reflections, I think it’s time that we realise just how much the world is changing. The world has taken a long time to evolve and I’m not sure that it’s for the better. We humans have been labeled mega predators when in fact we’re very vulnerable. We have created advancements that have conquered our environment for the sake of our survival yet what about others’ survival - the plants, the animals, better yet the future generations. We have been so caught up in our devices that we’re merely stuck in the present. We need to start thinking about the future. We need to start acting towards the betterment of the future because if we don’t, we might not even have one. 

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