What is life without fresh water?

Have you ever thought about a time where you would not be able to easily access clean water? You probably have not as a result of the United States being able to easily supply clean water to a majority of its citizens and because it is not properly publicized in the media.

“I have not heard about people not receiving fresh drinking water or about the droughts going on but would now take conscious efforts to save water,” said Daniel Gonzalez, psychology major.

Without this information being publicized in the media, American citizens usually take the value of water for granted which makes it an undervalued natural resource. What many people forget is that water is essential for life on earth and for our survival.

According to the National Center for Families Learning, the human body is composed of two-thirds water and that humans can only survive three to five days without water if they are not participating in any physical activity. On top of that, according to NASA the Earth’s surface is 71 percent water and out of that 71 percent only 3.5 percent is freshwater. But what is even more shocking is that NASA also mentioned that 68 percent of that 3.5 percent fresh water is available for human use since a majority of the Earth’s freshwater is trapped in glaciers and ice.

“It is important to be informed about this because everyone needs to learn that not everyone has these privileges like most of us,” said Candice Weller, senior and special education major.

It is extremely important for us to take the time to understand the importance of our limited fresh water supply since in the news lately (especially the New York Times) more and more articles about contaminated water supplies and droughts are appearing. The New York Times printed articles such as “National Guard Helping After Chemicals Found in Town’s Wells,” “Toxic History, Poisoned Water: The Story of Flint,” “A Hot, Dry Winter in California. Could It Be Drought Again?,” and “How New York Gets Its Water.”

These articles focus on how the state of Delaware’s water supply was been contaminated with chemicals, the contaminated water supply of Flint, Michigan, the extremely low water supply in California, and about how we have to supply the residents of New York City with safe/clean water by shipping it in from nearby places. Since it has been stated in The New York Times article that New York City is “surrounded by tidal, brackish water with no immediate access to fresh water streams.”

According to the Plastic Pollution Coalition, 83 percent of drinking water samples worldwide tested positive for microscopic plastic fibers. As a result, more companies are starting to take steps to becoming more eco-friendly; like Starbucks. By having two Starbucks located on our Union campus many of you have probably ordered something from there at least once. But if you are a frequent customer, did you ever realize that lately Starbucks has been serving their drinks with their new lids now instead of straws? This is because Starbucks stated that it is their goal to completely terminate the use of their plastic straws in the company by 2020. Starbucks decided to make this change to help improve our environment since water contamination has been an increasingly growing issue since it is not only found in the sea-water, but is now also being found in our drinking water.

“That is an important first step, but people need to be the change (followed by smart legislative policy), since they are the consumers drive most markets. Corporations play a critical role in helping to nudge public perception. It’s also a factor in generating positive public perception as a positive marketing tool. Some needs do exist for straw needs, but most people wouldn’t miss them,”said Kean University Earth and Environmental Science Professor William Heyniger.

Although you might be feeling like you are just a single person and cannot make a difference yourself. There are little things you could do to help conserve our freshwater supply like Heyniger, who states, he minimizes water waste through short showers, using boiled water to water plants, roof rainwater collection and condensate (from home HVAC system) to utilize in general outdoor use and no water during brushing your teeth.

“Everyone should try to make a change because every little bit of effort counts,” said Weller.