Question

All living organisms on Earth need water to survive. Many, including humans, require fresh water, but only 3% of the water on the Earth's surface is fresh water. How is fresh water important to you? How does this affect the way you manage your use of fresh water?

Write an essay that explains how you use and conserve fresh water based on how important it is to you. Support your explanation using evidence, such as facts and examples.

As you write, remember your essay will be scored based on how well you:

develop a multi-paragraph response to the assigned topic that clearly communicates your controlling idea to the audience.
support your controlling idea with meaningful examples, information, and references from the text.
cite direct quotes and any information that has been paraphrased from the passages that you have read.
organize your essay in a clear and logical manner, including an introduction, body, and conclusion.
use well-structured sentences and language that are appropriate for your audience.
edit your work to conform to the conventions of standard American English.
Use any of the tools available to you, such as the Checklist, Spellchecker, or Graphic Organizer.

Answer 1

Fresh water is critically important as it makes up only about 1% of Earth's water and is essential for human and ecological survival. Conservation strategies include water-efficient practices and technology, while pollution prevention helps protect the quality of our precious water resources.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Importance of Fresh Water and Conservation Efforts

Water, being the most essential compound for all living things, is a precious resource on our planet. The human body is comprised of about 60-75% water, emphasizing our fundamental need for it. Despite the Earth being called the Water Planet due to its 70% water-covered surface, fresh water accounts for only a scarce 1%. This limited supply of fresh water is a critical resource for drinking, agriculture, and sustaining ecosystems. Most of the Earth's water is salt water or locked in ice caps, rendering it inaccessible without costly processes like desalination.

To manage fresh water effectively, I have adopted several conservation practices. These include taking shorter showers, turning off the tap while brushing teeth, and installing water-efficient fixtures. In agriculture, drip irrigation systems significantly reduce water usage. In areas where water is scarce, recycling greywater for non-potable uses has become a growing practice. These measures not only conserve water but also respect its importance to life and ecosystem balance.

Given the importance of the hydrologic cycle, we must protect the quality of our water sources. Preventing pollution is just as vital as physical conservation. Pollution control regulations, proper waste disposal, and supporting environmental cleanup projects are crucial steps. Together, these efforts help ensure the sustainability of our precious water resources for future generations.