10 steps to save our waters and protect our planet – from home!

Posted on March 18, 2020

On the occasion of World Water Day – celebrated on March 22 every year, we asked Hannah Wuzel – Project Manager Lebanon at cewas Middle East to elaborate on the 10 steps to save our waters and protect our planet – from home. She writes about what can be done to preserve water in Lebanon.

Water at the Core of Lebanon’s natural beauty and pride

Few countries’ charm is so decidedly centered around its water resources as Lebanon’s, a trait that gives this tiny Mediterranean country a unique flavor in the water-scarce Middle East. 

From the enticing waves of its shores and the rivers and waterfalls crisscrossing the Shouf to Akoura’s mirror lakes and the snow-capped mountains of Zaarour, water is at the core of Lebanon’s natural beauty and pride. 

Yet, due to the consequences of climate change, population growth, pollution and mismanagement, Lebanon’s water resources are highly stressed. 

Protecting Water in our Daily Life

A number of environmentally conscious entrepreneurs have realized the value of preserving Lebanon’s waters and embarked on a mission to build sustainable approaches to water challenges in the country. 

cewas Middle East – funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, has been collaborating with Berytech to provide business development assistance and resources to these up-and-coming startups since 2018. 

But the work does not stop here – we can all play our part in protecting water in our daily life with a few valuable tips and tricks, even in the middle of the global COVID-19 pandemic.

1. Always close the tap while brushing your teeth, washing your hands or scrubbing your dishes.
2. Install an easy-to-use water filter in your home such as the one provided by Lebanese startup Clean2O.
3. Make sure there are no leaks in your piping. Many leaks can be easily fixed without professional assistance. If you see leaks in public piping, coordinate with your local municipality or Water Establishment. 
4. Install a low-flow shower head and water-saving toilet with dual flush.
5. Limit and compost your food and organic waste to make sure it does not end up on landfills. Too Good to Waste and Compost Baladi can support you in this.
6. Harvest rainwater and use it to water your plants and garden with a watering can, especially during the hot summer months when water is in short supply. 
7. Recycle your waste – get in touch with Green Track in Tripoli and Live Love Recycle in Beirut to learn how to.
8. Consider using environmentally friendly hygiene products and soap bars, such as the dehydrated orange peel pads developed by OrganyClean. 
9. Keep your showers brief and limited to once per day. 
10. Protect your solar water heaters and use solar power to disinfect water you might be using for irrigation or agriculture. Innovating Green Technology has a portfolio of custom-made solutions available. 

So, let’s get to work on proactively protecting the beautiful planet we call home and make sure that future generations can enjoy Lebanon’s rivers, lakes and sea as much as we do! 

Water, sanitation and resource management 

If this has triggered your interest in water, sanitation and resource management, you are stuck at home for the foreseeable future and have always dreamed of becoming an entrepreneur, why not check out some business approaches on the Sustainable Sanitation and Water Management platform that will help you on the way to your very own sustainable startup. 

---

About the author

Hannah Wuzel holds a M.Sc. degree in Global Politics from the London School of Economics and Political Science and a B.A. in International Liberal Studies with a focus on International Relations and Political Science from Waseda University, Japan. 

In addition to several years of working in sustainable development and social entrepreneurship, she has experience in communication, marketing and business development. 

Hannah manages the activities in Lebanon of cewas Middle East – funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation. Besides doing her best in Arabic, she speaks German, English, Spanish, Japanese and French.