Today is World Water Day, and if you live along one of the nation’s coastlines, you’ve probably noticed that you’re not alone when going for a swim. 

Ocean pollution is a major problem, and litter is a primary culprit. While laws have been designed to prevent people from dumping their trash into the sea, they haven’t eradicated the problem. Garbage still finds its way into our oceans and threatens marine life. 

After last year’s annual Ocean Conservancy International Coastal Cleanup, volunteers in more than 100 countries and 42 U.S. states had removed more than 6.8 million pounds of trash. As Greenpeace notes, only a fraction of the 300 billion pounds of plastic produced globally is recycled, with massive quantities dumped in landfills or oceans. 

When exposed to the sun, wind and ocean currents, plastic degrades and is often mistaken for food. Dolphins, sharks, whales and other marine animals die painful suffocation deaths when carelessly discarded plastics become lodged in their throats or digestive systems. Seemingly innocuous pop tabs from aluminum cans and plastic six-pack wrappers are common killers. Simply cutting up your six-pack wrappers before discarding them is one small step toward protecting sea life. 

You’re not off the hook if you live in a landlocked state, as litter along streets often ends up in storm drains and rivers, eventually navigating its way into the ocean. Once there, it can survive for decades. 

Reducing litter and volunteering for cleanup programs are highly effective ways to safeguard our oceans. Click here to volunteer for a coastal cleanup program. 

Free Online Resource: Guide to Marine Debris 

For Your Organic Bookshelf: Seasick: Ocean Change and the Extinction of Life on Earth 

Photo: Hans Sautter/Aurora Photos, courtesy of Ocean Conservancy

Monday is World Water Day, an international observance organized by the United Nations. This year’s theme is Clean Water for a Healthy World. 

Sadly, many of us take water for granted. We cannot explain how the water coming out of our faucets makes its way into our homes. We look at local rivers and assume they’ll always look the same. 

Water is often incorrectly perceived as an infinite resource. By 2015, however, many U.S. states may face water shortages and a consequent loss of ecosystems that can affect daily life. 

Conservation is critical, as we depend on water for drinking, watering crops, maintaining the oceans’ fish supply, lighting our homes and transportation. Organizations like The Nature Conservancy sponsor hundreds of river and lake projects throughout the United States, working to ensure our drinking water is clean and safe. 

This year, the Conservancy has teamed with Crystal Light to support five local river and lake projects: 

1. Colorado River. Touching seven states, the river has been affected by rapid population growth in the west.
2. Great Lakes Basin. Holding 20% of the fresh surface water on Earth, the Great Lakes’ resources are in trouble—a result of climate change, water development and use.
3. Meramec River. Part of the Mississippi River, the Meramec supplies drinking water to more than 15 million people and serves as a habitat for thousands of fish, birds and other wildlife. Over time, it has been threatened by excessive use and is one of the Conservancy's highest priorities.
4. Potomac River. The Potomac provides drinking water to 4.3 million people in Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia. Rapid population growth and water management systems in several communities have impacted it.
5. Southern rivers. Southern rivers and streams, such as the Pascagoula River in Mississippi and the Flint River in Georgia, span all 15 southern states. Recent droughts and increasing water demands have threatened these important bodies of water. 

The Conservancy is seeking volunteers to help with these and other projects. For more information, click here. 

For Your Organic Bookshelf: Unquenchable: America’s Water Crisis and What to Do About It 

Photo courtesy of ARA

Kudos to The Home Depot Foundation for investing an additional $30 million in its Partners in Sustainable Building program, which helps Habitat for Humanity build homes for struggling families.

The foundation will provide the funds and resources over 5 years. Habitat affiliates will build 5,000 homes that meet Energy Star guidelines and green building standards, 1,500 of which will be built this and next year.

Partners in Sustainable Building was established last year, with a pilot program that built 260 sustainable homes. The program adheres to Environmental Protection Agency standards, which require:

• Up to 50 percent less energy usage
• Up to a 33% decrease in indoor water consumption, with installation of high-efficiency plumbing fixtures and appliances
• Durable materials that lower maintenance costs over the life of the home, which increases affordability
• A reduction in greenhouse gas emissions

“From a new energy-efficient water heater and weather stripping to programmable thermostats and a low-flow toilet and bathroom fixtures, our family is already seeing savings in our monthly utility bills,” says Brian, a Habitat homeowner from the pilot program. “We’re so excited about our new home. To know it’s one that we can afford to maintain and live in for years to come means so much for our family.”

“By embracing the practical principles of green building, our partnership with Habitat for Humanity International is demonstrating that these techniques can actually make homes more affordable to own, maintain and live in from day one and for the long term,” says Kelly Caffarelli, president of The Home Depot Foundation. “With health and economic concerns at an all-time high, this issue is more important than ever for the families who will purchase these homes.”

Click here to volunteer with your local Habitat for Humanity.