与全球性危机作斗争的方法

The phrase "peak oil" is one that has been tossed around quite a bit lately, which comes at no surprise considering oil is hovering around $100 a barrel. But is oil the only resource that is at risk of considerable shortage?

While the earth's surface is covered by water, 97.5 percent of it is salt water. Of the remaining 2.5 percent that is fresh water, about 69 percent is frozen in ice caps and glaciers. If you then factor in the amount of contaminated and polluted fresh water, we are left with a dearth of safe, drinkable water.

This is a global problem, one that may continue to worsen in years to come. That's why it's incumbent upon all of us to do whatever we can to help, even if it comes at our own inconvenience. To that end, here are just a few ways that you can cut down on your water usage and do your part to help protect our most precious natural resource.

Turn the faucet off when shaving or brushing your teeth

When washing dishes by hand, fill the sink with water instead of allowing the water to run the entire time

Take shorter showers

Recycle and reuse water for watering plants or your cleaning needs

Retrofit all wasteful faucets by installing aerators with flow restrictors

Don't over-water your lawn, and do so in the morning, when less evaporation occurs

Check for water leaks and repair dripping faucets

Avoid over-fertilizing your lawn, as it will lead to an increase in water demand

Plant drought-tolerant shrubs, trees, and grasses, which require far less water

“石油峰值”这个词最近已经造成了相当大的震动，对于每桶石油达到100美元左右的价格已不再感到惊讶。然而，石油是唯一陷入极度短缺危机的能源吗？

地球的表面被水覆盖，其中有97.5%是海水。在剩下的2.5%的淡水中，大约有69%是未融化的冰川和冰河。如果再考虑到被污染的淡水总量，我们便处于缺乏安全而可饮用水源的境地中。

这是一个全球性的问题，也许会持续下去，一年比一年糟糕。这就是为什么我们说所有人都对此负有责任和义务。哪怕会造成自身的不便，我们也应该尽自己所能做一些事。为了这个共同的目的，这里有一些方法可以减少你的用水量，使你成为保护我们最珍贵的自然资源的一分子。

剃须或刷牙的时候请关上水龙头。

洗碗的时候，请把水槽蓄满水，而不要让水在洗碗的整个过程中一直流淌。

淋浴的时间短一些。

循环和再利用水资源，可用来洗菜或者其它需要清洗的物品。

通过安装限流器的装置修正所有造成浪费的水龙头。

灌溉草坪的时候不要过度用水，并且在早晨灌溉，以减少水汽的蒸发。

检查水的渗漏情况，修理漏水的龙头。

避免给你的草坪过度施肥，因为这将导致用水量的增加。

种植耐旱的，需水量远远少于其它植物的树木花草。