Water. It’s a wonder. It covers over half of our planet. 71% of the Earth to be precise. Up to 60% of an adult human body is made from it. We rely on it as a key source of nourishment. It sustains every living organism in the universe in some way, shape, or form. It houses, it cleans, it refreshes. It is quite simply the most diverse, multifunctional and vital source of physical energy on our planet. Water truly is a gift that keeps giving.

The hydrologic cycle, otherwise known as the water cycle, is a beautifully complex and natural process that moves water in its different forms around the earth, enabling it to keep giving and sustaining life on our planet. Whilst 97.5% of the world’s water is locked in seas and oceans unsuitable for human consumption, most of the remaining 2.5% is frozen in the ice caps. Funnily enough, humans depend on a rather small amount of freshwater as a natural resource for living, but sadly, we’ve developed a social system that stops that tiny proportion from being fully utilised, and it’s having a huge impact both on us, and the planet: in many ways that we probably aren’t aware of. 

So what can we do? Is it possible for one single person to have an impact on this phenomenal macrocosm?

The honest answer to this question is; yes.

For many people, the environmental issues we face today can feel overwhelming: individual changes can feel impactless, but it’s powerful to recognise that small drops make ripples that eventually become waves – it only takes the critical mass for things to change drastically. Being mindful when it comes to water usage, can have a hugely positive impact on the water cycle and our natural environment.

Making a difference doesn’t have to be difficult or a burden, often all it takes, is simply connecting with our innate human nature, such as the qualities that veganism celebrates; compassion, respect, mindfulness and enthusiasm, and with this foundation we can be safe in the knowledge that what we do, will help in time.

With this in mind, we thought we’d share a few simple, often disregarded ways, that draw upon human nature which in this case enables us to contribute positively.

An attitude of gratitude

Compassion is part of the ethos of veganism, not just in what we say or do but in how we think, our attitudes and feelings towards people, places and things around us. A really enjoyable and wholesome way that can change our relationship with water is to simply be more grateful for it. 

This may seem like a silly thing to do, but a huge amount of research backs the practice of gratitude. Just hearing information about the impact we have on water isn’t enough to move us to do something about it, it might even cause deeper feelings of fear or uncertainty ultimately leading to a more unhealthy consumption. 

Practising gratitude is proven to help make healthier choices and unshackle us from toxic emotions that can lead to the desire to overconsume. So here’s a simple challenge – every time you buy a coffee, fill that reusable BPA free bottle or wash your dishes, use it as an opportunity to be grateful for the water that is being provided. 

Here’s a great article you can read that supports the positive impact gratitude can have on mental health.

Nourishment over pleasure

A hot bath or a shower at the end of a stressful day is so inviting. Maybe even treating ourselves to a brand new shirt or pair of jeans is just what might beat those winter blues. It’s easy to fall into the trap of consuming purely for pleasure rather than nourishment or necessity. Overindulging is a key part of our toxic relationship with the environment, and the way we use water has a big part to play in that. 

Take moments in your day to step back from the incessant doing or stress, and reflect on making kinder choices. Aim to catch yourself while sipping that cup of tea, watering your plants or even having a shower and acknowledge whether or not you’re using water for nourishment, instead of just for pleasure. 

These small moments of reflection can build up and create a mindset that is respectful that can help heal our relationship with our surroundings, and make supporting our environment less of an afterthought and more of a lifestyle.

Know what you don’t know

Use today as a great opportunity to veer away from the normal way you browse or use your socials, and do a bit of reading and researching. Enjoy learning something new and revel in the thought that being better informed can help alleviate any unnecessary anxiety or inertia associated with these kinds of issues. Put yourself in a position where you feel encouraged to act and share. If you know something – you can do something. Even if it’s only for today. It’ll stick in that wonderful mind of yours and feed a healthier mindset. 

Of course, if you want to get a degree in water conservation do that too! 

There are no hard and fast rules about this and it’s important not to do any of the above with feelings of guilt. Do it out of love. Do it out of curiosity. Do it with hope for a sustainable future. Be a vegan at heart, and celebrate water rather than feeling bad about how we treat it. 

To help you along we’ve put some interesting links you can go to and start getting better informed: 

World Water Day website, Waters Worth Saving website and The Right to Water video.

We wish you all the luck in your water adventure and hope you can do something, even if it’s small. Finally, we’d like to thank you in advance from human to human for whatever you end up doing for World Water day 2022 no matter which new choices and changes you feel inspired to enact.