Changing Our Minds to Save Water | Kamal Balaa | TEDxAshburyCollege

Summary

In this speech, Kemal Bella, a sixth-grade student at Ashbury College, emphasizes the importance of water conservation. He discusses how water makes up a significant portion of our bodies and explains the limited availability of freshwater on Earth, with only 1% being accessible. Bella highlights Canada's unique position with 20% of the world's freshwater and outlines actions individuals and governments can take to conserve this precious resource. He also warns of the global risks of water scarcity, urging immediate change to prevent future crises.

Takeaways

• 💧 Water is vital for human survival, with 60% of the human body being water.
• 🚰 The Institute of Medicine recommends that men drink 3 liters and women drink 2 liters of water per day.
• 🌍 Although 70% of the Earth's surface is covered in water, only 1% is accessible fresh water.
• 🇨🇦 Canada houses over 20% of the Earth's accessible freshwater in the Great Lakes.
• 🌲 Human activities like pollution, deforestation, climate change, and urban growth threaten freshwater resources.
• 💡 Simple actions such as turning off the tap while brushing teeth and using water-efficient appliances can help conserve water.
• 🍔 Agriculture consumes over 70% of the world's water, with a growing population increasing the demand for water by 15% by 2050.
• 🐄 One pound of beef can use over 6,800 liters of water, highlighting the need for more water-efficient agricultural practices.
• 💧 Water scarcity is predicted to become the largest global risk in the next decade, with examples like Cape Town’s near 'Day Zero' experience.
• 🌍 Global organizations like the UN are working to ensure water security, but individuals must change their mindset to protect this resource.

Q & A

What percentage of the human body is made up of water?

Approximately 60% of the human body is made up of water.

How much water is recommended for daily consumption for men and women?

The Institute of Medicine recommends that men drink about 3 liters of water per day, while women should drink at least 2 liters.

How much of the Earth's water is fresh water, and how much of that is accessible?

Only 3% of the Earth's water is fresh water, and two-thirds of that is locked in glaciers and ice caps, leaving just 1% as accessible fresh water.

Why is Canada significant in terms of freshwater resources?

Canada holds over 20% of the Earth's accessible freshwater, mainly in the five Great Lakes.

What are some everyday actions individuals can take to conserve water?

Some actions include turning off the tap while brushing teeth, using precision sprinklers, allowing lawns to go dormant, using water-efficient appliances, and collecting rainwater for gardening.

What is the primary use of water globally, and how is this expected to change by 2050?

Over 70% of global water usage is for agriculture. By 2050, with a growing population, water usage for agriculture is expected to increase by 15%.

How much water is required to produce one pound of beef?

It takes over 6,800 liters of water to produce one pound of beef.

What is 'water scarcity,' and when is it expected to become a major global issue?

Water scarcity refers to the lack of sufficient water resources. Experts estimate it will become a significant global risk within the next decade.

What extreme measures did Cape Town, South Africa, take to address water scarcity?

During the 2018 water crisis, Cape Town limited water usage to under 50 liters per person per day, with some measures reducing it to 25 liters.

How does water usage in Canada compare to Cape Town during the water crisis?

In Canada, the average person uses about 350 liters of water per day, which is seven times more than what people in Cape Town used during their crisis.