Today is the last day of Water Month here on the Global Conversations: Climate blog, and we are finishing up this theme by highlighting the amazing work of some water heroes around the world. These are people that have take action in water conservation, and we hope you will join us in celebrating their work! If you or someone you know is a water hero, let us know in the comments section!
The MY HERO Project “uses media and technology to celebrate the best of humanity and empower people of all ages to realize their own potential to effect positive change in the world.”
One of the featured MY HEROES is Ryan Hreljac, who became a water hero when he was just 6 years old and a teacher told him that many people in Africa do not have access to clean safe water and wells. He spent months doing extra chores to save up the $2,000 needed to drill a well provided by WaterCan, a non-profit organization that provides clean water to poor countries. In 1999, the Canadian Physicians for Aid a
nd Relief drilled a well beside Angolo Primary School in northern Uganda, partially funded by Ryan’s contribution. Fast forward several years and Ryan is currently running Ryan’s Wells, an organization that has raised over $800,000 to provide clean water to people in Africa. Learn more about Ryan and his organization here.
Heroes can be companies, too! Water Heroes of the UAE (United Arab Emirates) is a partnership between the Emirates Wildlife Society and the World Wildlife Fund. They have wonderful resources on their site. There is a whole section dedicated to recognizing corporate heroes, a group of 57 organizations that have signed the water conservation pledge. You can sign the pledge to become a water hero of the UAE today!
This Local Water Saving Heroes page highlights the simple steps taken by people in their everyday lives. Things like planting drought-tolerant gardens, using buckets of reclaimed water captured while washing vegetables in the kitchen sink, and never running the dishwasher or washing machine unless they are completely full. Check out the site for more great simple tips for water conservation practiced by these “everyday heroes!”
