A Water Word to the Wise

FriendsForAGreenWorld want to spotlight your choices which move us toward a 100% sustainable energy future.  Let us know what YOU choose, today and everyday, that brings us closer to this goal.  Large or small - your choice makes a difference.

Doing a little is more fulfilling than thinking a little doesn't make a difference.

If you drink water you may be interested in this.  According to the American Water Works Association bottled water costs up to 1,000 times more than municipal drinking water.  Even if it were only 100 times more it would still be an extremely expensive water delivery system.  In fact, it's shown to be as high as $10 per gallon - making even our current gas prices look downright affordable.

The global consumption of bottled water reached 154 billion liters (41 billion gallons) in 2004 and making the bottles to meet Americans' demand requires more than 1.5 million barrels of oil annually.  The Earth Policy Institute reports that this is equivalent to the fuel used by 100,000 cars for a year.    A YEAR.

It's been estimated that we currently use up to 2.7 million tons of plastic globally each year to make the disposable water bottles.  The types of plastic varies and with each one our environment's toxic burden increases.  As an example, PET generates more than 100 times the toxic emissions compared to the same amount of glass.  It weighs less, so transporting it generates less emissions, but it's  damage to the environment overall is greater due to it's higher emissions and disposable nature.

What are the options?  All have an energy price tag.  Stainless steel, glass, LDPE - all require energy, oil, etc.  I've found an interesting comparison on this website, www.sustainablebuildingcentre.com/forum-topic/environmental_properties_of_plastics

The major benefits of the three listed above is that they last so very much longer than any disposable water bottle available.  By the very nature of their shelf-lives they limit the cost to our environment.  The Nalgene LDPE bottles I recently purchased from ReusableBags.com I imagine will last at least a year, maybe more; our Kleen Kanteens - even longer.

Take a moment to make this small choice - we'll all be so glad you did.   Now, take a look at a water filtration system that saves the environment, saves money and supports the Earth Day Alliance of San Luis Obispo.  Visit our site and order your PiMag water system - the profits from these purchases will go directly to funding this worthy organization and their educational outreach.

Then let us know, so we can share it with everyone.  When others read about your pioneering act, they will be inspired and your personal choice will be made more powerful.

"We are here!"