California is in the midst of a historic drought. Residents are worried. Leaders have imposed restrictions. People are taking action.
The Capistrano Dispatch
Facing diminishing reservoirs and irregular rainfall, Gov. Jerry Brown implemented a statewide, mandatory 25 percent reduction in urban water use. Californian’s answered the conservation call with a 27 percent cutback in June, followed by 31.3 cut in July. The cuts are substantial. But, the conditions aren’t likely to improve anytime soon.
So what else can be done? We can change the way we think about water.
To do so, the Ecology Center believes education is key. The San Juan Capistrano-based nonprofit engages people of all ages in hands-on practical, environmental solutions—from farm-to-fork cooking classes and summer eco camps. Now, they are starting a movement, a water movement: The Water Effect.
The Water Effect is a youth-driven program aimed to mobilize teens to think about water conservation creatively.
Through collaboration with the Municipal Water District of Orange County and the hands-on environmental education program Inside the Outdoors, The Water Effect will deliver water conservation awareness programming to schools throughout Orange County. The program creates sharable, real-time water education and conservation solutions through an interactive digital platform to empower students to be the true voice of the movement.
In its first year, The Water Effect will engage 50,000 high school students and 100 teachers across 20 campuses through digital and in-person activities. Hurley and surf legend Rob Machado have also teamed up with The Water Effect movement to take it beyond the classroom.
“We are honored to be working alongside Rob and Hurley as we create The Water Effect—a movement to inspire our youth as leaders in the conversation on creative water solutions,” said Evan Marks, executive director of The Ecology Center.
The Water Effect will also connect students through social media, creating an open dialogue and allowing user-generated content to drive the water conservation conversation.
“The Water Effect challenges students to think creatively and empowers people to drive real positive change for water,” said Ben Edwards, vice president of Global Outreach at Hurley. “We are honored to be part of this inspiring platform and look forward to seeing it grow.”
For more information on the Water Effect movement, check out The Ecology Center on the sand at this year’s Hurley Pro, held by the World Surf League at Trestles Sept. 9 through 20.
You can also follow The Ecology Center on Twitter @eco_center or @thewatereffect and on Instagram @theecologycenter or @thewatereffect.
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