Water: We take it for Granted

“Americans consume twice the world average in water, massive amounts are wasted in households, manufacturing, agriculture, and landscaping-massive amounts that could be conserved through proper monitoring and accounting,” said Jaymi Heimbuch.

We use water for more than drinking. We use 40 liters of water to make one slice of bread, 10 liters to make a sheet of paper, and10,855 liters to make one pair of jeans. Water is used for everything, and we tend to take it for granted. One out of eight people in the world does not have a safe water supply. Half of the world’s hospitalizations are caused from water-related diseases. This is a major issue.

Global industries use 20 percent of the world's water supply. Americans use 46 percent, and the Chinese use 25 percent. Water affects everyone and every business. There is only 2 percent of fresh water on Earth. Out of the 2 percent of fresh water, we use 70 percent on agriculture.

What will we do when the water becomes scarcer? It is scary to think about. It could ignite civil or world war. According to worldwatercouncil.org , more than 260 river basins are shared by two or more countries. We can live without oil and other resources, but water is a necessity. We must have it to live. The average human can go about a month without eating, but you can only live seven days without water.

In America we have a tainted view of the world. People are dying everyday because of lack of water in America, and we waste water, with no concern. Our daily habits and routines are wasteful. In other countries people would never let water run while brushing teeth or shaving. In other countries, some people only have a certain amount of water? Could you live off of 5 gallons a day? I doubt it. Let's be more conscious and try to conserve water.

Do the Right Thing

This week in my PR case studies course we read a book called "Do the Right Thing," by James Hoggan with Richard D. Littlemore.

It was an easy read. Hoggan takes different case studies, and analyzes them to come up with PR strategies and tactics that can help individuals grow as a practitioners. Hoggan also leaves the reader with lessons that should stay with practitioners throughout their careers.What stuck out in my head after reading the book were the golden rules. #1 Do the right thing. #2 Be seen doing the right thing. #3 Don’t get #1 and #2 mixed up. These golden rules are the simple but most overlooked rules in PR.

Today’s public simply does not trust the media. We have created mistrust and doubt with the public, but Hoggan explains different methods in rebuilding their trust and sustaining a good reputation about yourself and maintaing credibility.

Oil companies and Big Tobacco companies know that the public does not trust them. They consistently lie to the public for their own gain. Over the years oil companies have told us they were looking for new resources for clean, reusable energy but they weren’t. They paid officials and regulators to tell the public that they were doing the right thing, but subsequently they weren’t. Big Tobacco companies told the public that cigarettes are not harmful, and to add some sort of security to their claims, they hired scientists and doctors to sell the lie to the public for the right price.

Hoggan is trying to expose them for lying to the public and cutting deals with doctors, scientists, politicians and regulators.’ In the book, Hoggan says oil companies are endangering our system of democracy. If other companies join the bandwagon of lying, finding the truth will be difficult.

Hoggan & Associate's blog http://www.hoggan.com/blog/, also is another resource for a breakdown of the book. At the blog page breaks down the different tactics and strategies. They have made a TIP series of blogs that tell you brief insightful, information to better yourself as a PR practitioner. The blogs are very useful to know the trends in the PR profession and show practitioners the right methods to do the right thing.