Dragonfly gazette, 2018 Winter

Jo Adang <jadang117@gmail.com>

[Test] WET's Dragonfly Gazette on Virtual Water
Georgia Project WET <monica.kilpatrick@dnr.ga.gov> Reply-To: us1-0797a4664c-ccf9c9c04d@inbound.mailchimp.com To: jadang117@gmail.com

Wed, Jan 24, 2018 at 11:03 AM

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Winter 2018
HELLO from your Georgia Project WET Coordinators -Jo Adang and Monica Kilpatrick!
IN THIS ISSUE:
Virtual Water
River of Words
Nominate a deserving water educator or organization Next WET Workshops More Exciting Opportunities

Diving into
VIRTUAL WATER
Let's look deeply into the water we use everyday.
Most people are only slightly aware of how much water they use throughout the day. In a 2014 Indiana University survey more than one thousand Americans were asked to estimate the amount of water it takes to flush the toilet, wash clothes, and other kinds of normal household uses. On average, participants underestimated their use by a full factor of two. How accurate would you be? With Project WET activities such as Water Audit and My Water Footprint we can explore our personal water consumption in everyday life and be pretty certain how much we use.

Is this you?

The USGS estimates the average daily use of water in the U.S. is between 80-100 gallons per person.
But that's NOT the only way we use water. . .
Flushing, drinking, and washing are only part of our water-use story. In developed countries, every bite of food, every mile we drive, every light switch we flip relies on water before it reaches us. We call this Virtual Water.

To find Project WET workshops visit EEinGeorgia.org

Virtual water is the total water used in production of a good or service - any goods or services -- agricultural, industrial or otherwise -- that consume freshwater during their production. This video can explain more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ca3fBBiz-3U
Virtual Water
Here's what it takes to produce 1 gallon of milk:

Source

Volume of Virtual Water

Directly used in production

Rainfall on pasture

106 gallons

Irrigation of pasture

79 gallons

Stock drinking water

3 gallons

Indirectly used in production

Rainfall and irrigation water used in 53 gallons
production of feed grain

Total

241 gallons of Virtual Water needed to produce 1 gallon of milk

Here is how much Virtual Water is used to make your cell phone!

Your Water Footprint

TOP

All of that virtual water use + your actual daily use is your Water Footprint.

The average American has a "water footprint" of 2,220 gallons per day!

The number above comes from a new water footprint calculator. This calculator probes broader and deeper than others in the past, using national data and behavioral studies to average the number of gallons per day associated with your energy and fuel consumption, shopping habits, recycling habits, meal choices, and even pet food purchases, on top of normal household uses.

New KIDS Booklet

The Project WET Foundation is developing a new KIDS Discovery Booklet on Water, Agriculture, & Food which ties in nicely with a Virtual Water discussion. Get your copy soon at store.projectwet.org.

Learn More about Virtual Water:
Agricultural use of water in Georgia

https://gaswcc.georgia.gov/ag-water-use-data-0 https://gaswcc.georgia.gov/ag-water-quality-initiative-index http://agr.georgia.gov/manufactured-foods.aspx Virtual Water use in China https://www.earthmagazine.org/article/virtual-water-tracking-unseen-watergoods-and-resources VW Info Graphics and Posters http://virtualwater.eu/ http://thewaterweeat.com/ Waterwise UK Challenge https:/21stcenturychallenges.org/what-is-virtual-water/ What would happen if the US became Vegan? http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2017/11/what-would-happen-if-all-americanswent-vegan Can Eating Right can be good for the Environment? http://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-dietary-guidelinesenvironment-20171204-story.html
Challenge your students to investigate these ideas about Virtual Water and their own Water Footprint. 1. It has been suggested that consumers can dramatically reduce their indirect water consumption by doing the following. What effect would these activities actually have on an individual's use of water and on our water resources in general?
waste less food; select comparable products that use less water; substitute types of food that use more water for types that use less; become a vegetarian. 2. Does larger virtual water use equal environmental harm? Could our own conservation efforts have an effect on indirect water use?
3. Measuring Virtual Water estimates also present some questions:

To find Project WET workshops visit EEinGeorgia.org
TOP

Are all sources of water, whether in the form of rainfall or provided through an irrigation system, of equal value?
Would water use that might be reduced from a high water use activity be available for use in a less water intensive activity? For example, would the water used in beef production necessarily be available to produce veggie burgers instead? Would it be practical and/or economical? What are the problems with this trade-off?
Do Virtual Water estimates provide any indication of whether water resources are being used sustainably? What guidance do policy makers need to ensure that environmental objectives are being met in the production of goods and services?
Project WET activities you might use to study this:
A Drop in the Bucket By estimating and calculating the percentage of available fresh water on Earth, students understand that this resource must be used and managed carefully. My Water Footprint Students learn about water footprints and construct a "Water Meter" to keep track of their personal water use. Water Audit -- Students discuss water sources and water conservation concepts, conduct a home and school water audit, and compare and contrast results with and without the implementation of water conservation practices. Virtual Water -- Students create a "water web" to illustrate their dependence on water and the interdependence among water users, producers and people worldwide. 8-4-1, One for All - Representing eight different water users, students must safely carry one water container "downstream". The Long Haul -- Students recognize how hauling water can make them more aware of the need to conserve. Money Down the Drain -- Through observation and simple calculations, students learn that a dripping faucet wastes a valuable resource.

Visit DiscoverWater.org to create virtual water awareness posters and engage students in ACTION EDUCATION!

The 2018 River of Words Contest is almost here! Georgia's ROW postmark deadline is February 1, so hurry to send in your ART and POETRY entries. See complete rules and entry forms at Projectwet.ga.org.
We are now taking nominations for our GA Project WET Awards: 1. 2018 Georgia Project WET School/Organization of the Year 2. 2018 Georgia Project WET Educator of the Year These very special people will be honored at the EEA Conference in March. Nominate someone you believe in by February 15: Nomination (pdf form)
World Wetlands Day with a PW Discount
On February 2nd, educators all over the world will teach students about wetlands. With Project WET's teacher-approved activity booklets, students in

grades 3-6 will have fun learning about the environmental and cultural impact wetlands have on our communities. And to celebrate World Wetlands Day, ProjectWET.org is giving you an exclusive 10% discount on any purchase over $10!
Save the dates and join us!
The Environmental Education Alliance of GA's Annual Conference, March 2-4, 2018 at Unicoi State Park. Learn more and Register here.
Project WET Facilitators-- please plan to attend the Facilitators'
Council meeting at the EEA Conference, March 3, Unicoi State Park during lunch. Bring your questions, ideas, and concerns. See you there! (remember, this counts as your participation credit to maintain Facilitator status!)
EPA Teacher and Student Awards
Applications are now being accepted for the next round of EPA's student and teacher awards. Applications are due March 1, 2018. FOR YOUTH: President's Environmental Youth Award (PEYA) (http://go.usa.gov/3u7XB): The PEYA program recognizes outstanding environmental projects by K-12 youth to promote environmental awareness. FOR EDUCATORS: Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators (PIAEE): (http://go.usa.gov/3u7XQ) The PIAEE program recognizes outstanding K-12 teachers who employ innovative approaches to environmental education and use the environment as a context for learning for their students, and who will be awarded up to $2,500 to be used to further their professional development in environmental education.
Wildlife Viewing Grants: Projects Sought

WANTED: Projects that can use a hand helping Georgians enjoy and better understand animals, plants and habitats emphasized in Georgia's State Wildlife Action Plan that promote wildlife viewing.
The application deadline is Feb. 1, 2018.
Details are available at www.georgiawildlife.com/WildlifeViewingGrants.
First Lego League Challenge Lesson Plan from Project WET
Download this FREE lesson plan designed to increase understanding of the Human Water Cycle and help students better address this year's FIRST LEGO League Challenge on Hydro-Dynamics. Assembled in response to educator inquiries, the lesson plan is available at no cost in the Project WET on-line store: http://store.projectwet.org/lego-challenge-lesson-plan-thehuman-water-cycle.html
28th Annual Give Wildlife a Chance Poster Contest
Open to K-5th graders, students are challenged to create artwork based on the annual theme ("Nature at Night.") and according to the contest rules. The deadline is April 13, 2018. www.georgiawildlife.com/PosterContest
Getting Little Feet WET!
Our newest publication for our youngest learners debuted last March 22, World Water Day! Getting Little Feet WET features 11 fun activities for ages 3-6, correlated to national standards and reflects all of Project WET's water principles. Visit the Project WET store to purchase your digital or printed copy. Many of the activities are linked to "Water We Singing About", a volume of kid-friendly songs about water written by the NJ WET coordinator, Keven Kopp. Purchase the CD here.
Our website is full of resources for you!

Be sure to visit us here often to find the latest information and stuff. Check out Educator Resources and the Tool Box for starters. ProjectWET.Georgia.gov
Searchable database for Standards
UPDATED! With the standards database, all of the correlations are easy to access for WET 2.0 activities covering Georgia and National subject area standards. Try it out!
Shop at Kroger, Earn Money for EEA
Our professional organization Environmental Education Alliance (EEA) is a member of the Kroger Community Rewards Program. You can now support EEA just by shopping at Kroger and using your Kroger Plus Card. They can earn up to $8000 per quarter! Learn how to register your card for EEA.
Use AmazonSmile to Donate to EEA
Did you know that you can use AmazonSmile to donate to EEA while you shop? Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to EEA. Select EEA as your charitable organization. Search for "Environmental Educational Alliance Inc."
Triple Facilitator Workshop!
Join us for the WET, WILD, PLT Facilitator training, March 23-24, 2018 in Forsyth, GA (off S I-75, just 45 minutes south of Atlanta). INFORMATION and REGISTRATION FORM. Find more workshops near you on EE in Georgia!

Your Georgia Project WET Coordinators: Jo Adang Monica Kilpatrick
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