This is the seventeenth in a series of articles from the Eco Team at St Columba’s, which are also published in our church magazine.

Though the impact of climate change may not affect us or our life styles right now, it’s still a reality that’s inching closer each day. Every creature on earth faces a threat from this, largely driven by human actions. We can however still help. Going “green” starts with small steps we each take in our daily lives. Collective action towards a greener planet is paramount.

Did you know that the average American uses 650 pounds of paper each year and we are not that far behind them! A 100 million tons of wood could be saved each year if all that paper was recycled.  Switching to an eco friendly life style doesn’t mean a complete over haul overnight. It’s all about those little choices we make every day that add up to big changes.

Here are a few thoughts on ways we can approach saving water.

Fix Leaks promptly!

A small drip might not seem like much but adds up. A leaking tap drip ping at the rate of one drop per second can waste more than 3,000 gallons of water per year So grab that wrench or call the plumber and Nip that Drip in the Bud!

Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth

Sometimes it’s the little habits that matter the most. It may not seem like much but letting water run while you are brushing your teeth can waste a significant amount of water! This is a simple switch but can save up to 8 gallons of water a day. That’s over 200 per month for just one person!

It’s all about creating eco-conscious habits that will stick with you. This small action over morning and night sets the stage for more water wise savings.

How about setting up a Rainwater Harvesting System? Not a bad thought if we are due to experience some of the hot weather presently being forecast!