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There's an important reason to check the tags on clothing. And it's not to get the size.

Every last drop of water really does matter. It's not like it grows on trees.

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TOMS

First, check the tags on clothing before you shop.

In a standard manufacturing process, it can take 700 gallons of water to make a single T-shirt. Seriously. Before you even go shopping, you can do some quick research on brands that keep water use to a minimum during manufacturing. That way, when you're at the store, you can check the labels for eco-friendly brands before you buy.


Also, more is less when it comes to filling up your washing machine with clothing. Don't run tiny loads. And it's worth checking labels before you buy to ensure your clothes don't need to be washed separately on the delicate cycle.

But that's not all you can do.

There are simple ways you can personally cut down on your water consumption each day:

  • Take a shower instead of a bath, and keep it to 5 minutes max.
  • Turn off the faucet when you're brushing your teeth.
  • Put a "hippo" in the toilet tank. (I had to Google it. That's U.K. language for a unit that reduces the amount of water that's used each time you flush. You can also fill up a water bottle, cap it, and drop it in the tank for the same result.)
  • If you have a dishwasher, use it! Not only is it easier, it's better. Modern dishwashers use less water than old-school hand washing does. If you don't have one, fill up a tub versus washing your dishes under running water.

'Cause here's the thing: We use a whole lotta water.

Each of us personally uses between 80 and 100 gallons of water a day. That's not counting what we indirectly consume because of the food we eat and clothing we buy.

For some perspective, it takes about a gallon just to wash our hands. Filling up a bathtub sends 36 gallons of H2O right down the drain — literally. Newer showerheads cover us with 2 to 2.5 gallons per minute, which is far better than older ones that blow through 4 gallons every 60 seconds. (Our water fact droplets come from the U.S. Geological Survey.)

Water is essential. And let's be honest, we like it.

We can't live without it, and we don't want to live without it. (How many of us need a morning shower just to wake up? And pool time in the summer? Heck yeah.)

So let's conserve where we can!

    A quick refresher:

    This video is just 1 minute and 30 seconds, and it might give you a few new ideas (or serve as a good refresher) on how to save water. And you can always make a donation to an organization that helps provide clean water to those who need it.

    Planet

    Easy (and free!) ways to save the ocean

    The ocean is the heart of our planet. It needs our help to be healthy.

    Ocean Wise

    Volunteers at a local shoreline cleanup

    True

    The ocean covers over 71% of the Earth’s surface and serves as our planet’s heart. Ocean currents circulate vital heat, moisture, and nutrients around the globe to influence and regulate our climate, similar to the human circulatory system. Cool, right?

    Our ocean systems provide us with everything from fresh oxygen to fresh food. We need it to survive and thrive—and when the ocean struggles to function healthfully, the whole world is affected.

    Pollution, overfishing, and climate change are the three biggest challenges preventing the ocean from doing its job, and it needs our help now more than ever. Humans created the problem; now humans are responsible for solving it.

    #BeOceanWise is a global rallying cry to do what you can for the ocean, because we need the ocean and the ocean needs us. If you’re wondering how—or if—you can make a difference, the answer is a resounding YES. There are a myriad of ways you can help, even if you don’t live near a body of water. For example, you can focus on reducing the amount of plastic you purchase for yourself or your family.

    Another easy way to help clean up our oceans is to be aware of what’s known as the “dirty dozen.” Every year, scientists release an updated list of the most-found litter scattered along shorelines. The biggest culprit? Single-use beverage and food items such as foam cups, straws, bottle caps, and cigarette butts. If you can’t cut single-use plastic out of your life completely, we understand. Just make sure to correctly recycle plastic when you are finished using it. A staggering 3 million tons of plastic ends up in our oceans annually. Imagine the difference we could make if everyone recycled!

    The 2022 "Dirty Dozen" ListOcean Wise

    If you live near a shoreline, help clean it up! Organize or join an effort to take action and make a positive impact in your community alongside your friends, family, or colleagues. You can also tag @oceanwise on social if you spot a beach that needs some love. The location will be added to Ocean Wise’s system so you can submit data on the litter found during future Shoreline Cleanups. This data helps Ocean Wise work with businesses and governments to stop plastic pollution at its source. In Canada, Ocean Wise data helped inform a federal ban on unnecessary single-use plastics. Small but important actions like these greatly help reduce the litter that ends up in our ocean.

    Ocean Wise, a conservation organization on a mission to restore and protect our oceans, is focused on empowering and educating everyone from individuals to governments on how to protect our waters. They are making conservation happen through five big initiatives: monitoring and protecting whales, fighting climate change and restoring biodiversity, innovating for a plastic-free ocean, protecting and restoring fish stocks, and finally, educating and empowering youth. The non-profit believes that in order to rebuild a resilient and vibrant ocean within the next ten years, everyone needs to take action.

    Become an Ocean Wise ally and share your knowledge with others. The more people who know how badly the ocean needs our help, the better! Now is a great time to commit to being a part of something bigger and get our oceans healthy again.

    It's incredible what a double-sided magnet can do.


    A new trend in treasure hunting called magnet fishing has blown up over the past two years, evidenced by an explosion of YouTube channels covering the hobby. Magnet fishing is a pretty simple activity. Hobbyists attach high-powered magnets to strong ropes, drop them into waterways and see what they attract.

    The hobby has caught the attention of law enforcement and government agencies because urban waterways are a popular place for criminals to drop weapons and stolen items after committing a crime. In 2019, a magnet fisherman in Michigan pulled up an antique World War I mortar grenade and the bomb squad had to be called out to investigate.


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