My Drought, Your Drought

Yes, yes, I know I am on a "break", but bear with me just had to get a little something off my chest.

Look, we all know I am no saint, even on a good day I am still in constant contact with the dark side (like my little Star Wars reference).  But I do get one thing, that the environment, for good or bad, is not mine, or yours, it is not a possession.  Yet my well-being is directly connected to the well-being of the planet’s environment.  So if I am experiencing a drought, I know all my neighbors and friends are as well.  This is why it bothers me when I read stuff online about the drought in my area and how it is affecting only individuals.  I am baffled when I hear people talking only how the drought affects them.  People seem more worried because their grass looks bad, or they can't wash their car, or the best one where will I get my avocados, geez wth!  Look dude, who cares about your grass, or your car, be grateful you have either shouldn’t your concern be as a human we need water to LIVE!  And if you are so worried about your produce grow your own.  This drought is man-made and will require big man-made (go with it, people did not flow here) actions to even attempt to fix it.  But if we all remain so self-centered and unwilling to change our comfortable lives it won't happen.  Yeah this blog has always been about small actions being done by a lot of people to make big change.  So turn the water off when you wash your hair, do not shower every day, and the always powerful if it is yellow let it mellow.  These are all very small actions, so don't make them a big deal.  We are all a little too comfortable sometimes and forget that half of the world's population (which 1/2 is still in the billions) do not have access to water, and when we are asked to reduce how much we water we use we have the nerve to complain about grass.  What is wrong with this picture?  Sorry this drought is bothering you but guess what it is affecting all of us, and it is because of people who refuse to change.  So I will say it again, do not get overwhelmed with the big picture, work on what you can do.  You are one person, but one person can do so much.  Turn off your water.  For me it always helps me to remember how lucky I am to have access to water, or a dishwasher (which is only run full, very full), or a washing machine (also run very full).  Thinking of others can motivate our own actions to go a little further sometimes (and like I said at the start I am far from perfect so don't start painting the saint Charlotte picture, because that ain't real).  We are all in this together, which can be a comfort or a freaking nightmare, depending on how you look at it.

The last thing I am going to say (yeah right I thought I was on a break too) is think outside the box.  People are looking for ways to save water and it might not always involve your tap and faucet.  Think about what you buy, is there a ton of packaging in or on it? Did that packing require water to make it? Can I not buy it (scary source reduction)?  Yes you can, look at that you are an official drought helper.  Or give up meat for a few days a week. Those veggies and fruit are getting a bad rap right now because they require water, but think of how much water it takes to raise a cow that will be used for beef.  Just saying, it is OK to think outside the box.  I know we can do it.  I will get off of my soap box now. Please have a super terrific Thursday!

Also wanted to share a great article.  Enjoy!