Skip to main content

Green Games November Program — Waste Less Water

 

By

Print or download the November Program Theme poster.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

Water is vital for all forms of life, and is significant to human society, making its conservation vital. Chapel Hill has a limited water supply and has experienced multiple droughts in recent years, which has highlighted the need for water conservation at UNC. Programs like the Three Zeros Initiative aid in UNCs recent goal of net zero water usage by finding ways to reduce the use of potable water and expand the use of reclaimed water (treated wastewater for non-drinking purposes).

WATER FACTS

While nearly 70% of the world is covered by water, only 2.5% of it is fresh. Of that 2.5% fresh water just 1% is easily accessible, with much of it trapped in glaciers and snowfields. So, only about 0.007% of the planet’s water is available to fuel and feed its over 7 billion people.

WATER AT UNC

By one measure, we have already achieved our net zero water use goal: we use less potable water than falls on our campus annually as precipitation, we achieved this through various sustainable water management practices and conservation efforts that have reduced potable water consumption by 46% since 2000.

WAYS TO REDUCE WATER USAGE

  • Take shorter showers and turn off the water while brushing your teeth!
  • If you see a leaky sink or shower head, send in a fix my room request!
  • Eat vegetarian for a meal, livestock uses more water than veggies to grow!
  • Donate and purchase clothes at thrift stores, manufacturing clothing uses a lot of water!

WHAT COULD YOUR PROGRAM LOOK LIKE?

  • Calculate your water footprints with your residents, while treating them to a vegetarian/vegan meal!
  • Have your residents take the Carolina Green Pledge!
  • Take your residents on a walking tour of buildings and areas on campus that are efficient in their water uses, like Genome Sciences Building, the FedEx Global Center, and Battle Grove.
  • Hold a thrift swap in your hall and talk about the water costs associated with newly manufactured vs used items!

RESOURCES ABOUT WATER CONSERVATION

Email: Greengames@unc.edu Website: go.unc.edu/greengames

Comments are closed.