What we consume and our transportation choices indirectly add up to how much water we use:

• The water it takes to produce the average American diet alone is approximately 1000 gallons per person per day. A quarter pound hamburger is about 30 average American showers! You can reduce your water footprint by eating less meat and dairy. Also consider choosing grass-fed meats and FairTrade-certified products. See Buying & Sharing Food theme of this Action Plan if you'd like to learn more.

• Acording the the World Wildlife Fund, it can take 700 gaollons to produce the cotton needed to make a single t-shirt.

• Nearly 5% of all U.S water withdrawals are used in the fuel industry and in the production of material goods. According to the EPA, oil refineries use about 1 to 2.5 gallons of water for every gallon of product.  

• One of the best ways to conserve water is to buy recycled or upcycled goods, and to recycle your stuff when you’re done with it - Tips from Change the Course.

Interested in calculating your water footprint? This tool helps you calculate how much water you use at home, for transportation, and as a consumer.