Water is so much part of our life, that we rarely pause to think about how indispensable it is to live. Of course, everyone knows that we need pure drinking water to live. A person can live about a month without food, but only about a week without water. However, the relevance of water is beyond human thirst. All life forms on this planet are water-dependent. In fact, life on planet earth is possible precisely because water is amply available.
Importance Of Water
We know that the human body is mostly water – According to one fat source, “The amount of water in the human body ranges from 50-75%. The average adult human body is 50-65% water, averaging around 57-60%. The percentage of water in infants is much higher. Typically around 75-78% water, dropping to 65% by one year of age.”
As per the study conducted by The United States Geological Survey, the human brain, and the average tree has the exact same percentage of water, about 75%. But this doesn’t end with the body, in fact, our planet earth is mostly water as well. About 71% of our planet’s surface is water. The oceans hold about 96.5 percent of all Earth’s water. Water also exists in the air as water vapor, in rivers and lakes, in icecaps and glaciers, in the ground as soil moisture and in aquifers.
In fact, the earth is such a watery place, that Bill Bryson, in his book The brief History of Nearly Everything, wonders why we don’t call this planet Water, instead of Earth!
Interesting Facts About Water
The interesting water facts were shared by Environmental Protection Agency, which states that there is the same amount of water on Earth as there was when the Earth was formed. This means that the water from your faucet could contain molecules that dinosaurs drank!!
For all this, all but a minuscule percentage of available water is poisonous to us! Nearly 97% of the world’s water is salty or otherwise undrinkable. Another 2% is locked in ice caps and glaciers. That leaves just 1% for all of the humanity’s needs. All its agricultural, residential, manufacturing, community, and personal needs. Thank God then for the water cycle, because this allows, through very elaborate and complex weather systems. For water to be recycled from oceans a vapor to clouds, and then funneled to fresh water sources in the form of rain. If not for the water cycle, we would run out of fresh water in next to no time, and life would be impossible.
Thank God then for the water cycle, because this allows, through very elaborate and complex weather system. For water to be recycled from oceans a vapor to clouds, and then funneled to fresh water sources in the form of rain. If not for the water cycle, we would run out of fresh water in next to no time, and life would be impossible.
Also Read: 12 Mind Blowing Facts About Water
Indian Belief About Water
No wonder then, that most traditions hold water as sacred. In the Indian belief system, water is one of the five basic elements, alongside fire, air, earth and space or ether. In Sankhya metaphysics, water is ranked fourth, from subtle to gross. The first being space that carries sound. The second being fire that is visible, the third wind, which can be felt and the fourth is water, which can be tasted. The fifth, final element is earth, which can be smelled.
In Indian medical traditions, water is considered a carrier or prana or vital life force and must be treated with great respect and seriousness. Water in itself was considered medicine. There were very specific rules about when and how fresh water must be sourced. How it must be purified and stored, and even how it must be consumed.
Also Read: Earth Day: 20 Easy Ways To Save Water And Protect The Environment
It is a sobering thought, therefore, that ensuring the continuation of life specifically human life. On this planet means ensuring that the various complex cycles of water are allowed to continue unhindered. When thinking of saving the planet, we often think of saving trees, reducing trash, saving other life forms, etc. Just as important is our extremely conscientious treatment of water. We must ensure that we preserve our fresh water resources carefully, keep them free of pollution. To ensure that our activities do not upset the delicate climatic balance, which could drastically affect the water cycle. In turn extinguishing our existence on this planet.