Many of us are used to being able to get as much water as we need, whenever we need it. Wanna take a bath? Just turn on the tap! Feed the lawn? Simply grab a hose. But that won't always be the case. In fact, by the year 2013, 36 U.S. states are expected to face serious water shortages. 2013...that's two years away! Gulp! We're getting thirsty just thinking about that.
Here at IML we've already talked about the importance of water conservation, and how you can help, in our Green Living section. A new campaign called Save Water Today is doing the same thing with videos starring celebrities offering easy advice on how to be water-wise. 16-year-old surfer Lakey Peterson is part of this campaign...actually, she's more than just a surfer; she's an amazing, boundary-shattering athlete and passionate environmentalist. Recently, Lakey shared with us her thoughts on the water issue as well as her upcoming Nike women's surf film, "Leave A Message."
IML: How did you get involved with the Save Water Today campaign?
Lakey: Since I'm the spokesperson for the Student Conservation Association, they felt I was the perfect person to speak to youth about saving water. I was super excited to spread awareness about water conservation!
IML: What have you learned about water conservation?
Lakey: I learned that not only is it more important than everyone thinks it is, it's also actually much easier to prevent water waste than you'd think. It takes so little effort to make so much of a difference!
IML: Why do you think young people need to educate themselves about this issue?
Lakey: As kids, we're the best hope for being able to save the environment before it's too late. We have a chance to learn from both the positive things and mistakes made by older generations and really make the world a better place to live in!
IML: Okay, so what are the top 2 or 3 things we can do every day to conserve water?
Lakey: (1) Make all your showers 5 minutes or less. (2) Don't let water run in the sink, even if it's just a little drip. (3) Keep the water off when you're brushing your teeth. That seems small but it saves 3 gallons a day!
IML: How can kids get their parents and other adults around them to get with the program?
Lakey: It's pretty easy. Whenever you get a flyer or a program or something like that about saving water (or whenever you see one of our Save Water Today ads), just be sure to show it to your parents, and hopefully they'll get that you're serious about it, and it's something to really pay attention to. And whenever you see them wasting water, call them out on it...but be nice!
IML: Tell us about "Leave A Message" -- what were the highlights of shooting the film?
Lakey: It was AMAZING! I've never been on camera for such a long period of time before, so initially I didn't know what to expect, but it was awesome to travel around the world with all my friends and surf the spots that I always dreamed of! It's going to be a pretty INCREDIBLE film, and I'm so excited for everyone to see it!
IML: Do you think there's an image of women surfers that you'd like to see changed?
Lakey: For some reason girls just have the mindset that they can't surf as well as guys, but when you see this film you can see that we don't have that mindset. We don't let anything hold us back from surfing the best that we can.
IML: You started surfing competitively when you were 11. How did being involved so deeply in a sport help you during the pre-teen years?
Lakey: I think that it has been amazing because I'm so busy that I don't have time to get into trouble. Surfing is known to be a party industry, but I'm not really into that whole scene. Don't get me wrong, I have fun but when it's time to focus...It's time to focus. I have that "Just Do It" mentality in me, I think!
Check out Lakey's Save Water Today PSA and learn more about how to do your part:
Here at IML we've already talked about the importance of water conservation, and how you can help, in our Green Living section. A new campaign called Save Water Today is doing the same thing with videos starring celebrities offering easy advice on how to be water-wise. 16-year-old surfer Lakey Peterson is part of this campaign...actually, she's more than just a surfer; she's an amazing, boundary-shattering athlete and passionate environmentalist. Recently, Lakey shared with us her thoughts on the water issue as well as her upcoming Nike women's surf film, "Leave A Message." IML: How did you get involved with the Save Water Today campaign?
Lakey: Since I'm the spokesperson for the Student Conservation Association, they felt I was the perfect person to speak to youth about saving water. I was super excited to spread awareness about water conservation!
IML: What have you learned about water conservation?
Lakey: I learned that not only is it more important than everyone thinks it is, it's also actually much easier to prevent water waste than you'd think. It takes so little effort to make so much of a difference!
IML: Why do you think young people need to educate themselves about this issue?
Lakey: As kids, we're the best hope for being able to save the environment before it's too late. We have a chance to learn from both the positive things and mistakes made by older generations and really make the world a better place to live in!
IML: Okay, so what are the top 2 or 3 things we can do every day to conserve water?
Lakey: (1) Make all your showers 5 minutes or less. (2) Don't let water run in the sink, even if it's just a little drip. (3) Keep the water off when you're brushing your teeth. That seems small but it saves 3 gallons a day!
IML: How can kids get their parents and other adults around them to get with the program?
Lakey: It's pretty easy. Whenever you get a flyer or a program or something like that about saving water (or whenever you see one of our Save Water Today ads), just be sure to show it to your parents, and hopefully they'll get that you're serious about it, and it's something to really pay attention to. And whenever you see them wasting water, call them out on it...but be nice!
IML: Tell us about "Leave A Message" -- what were the highlights of shooting the film?
Lakey: It was AMAZING! I've never been on camera for such a long period of time before, so initially I didn't know what to expect, but it was awesome to travel around the world with all my friends and surf the spots that I always dreamed of! It's going to be a pretty INCREDIBLE film, and I'm so excited for everyone to see it!
IML: Do you think there's an image of women surfers that you'd like to see changed?
Lakey: For some reason girls just have the mindset that they can't surf as well as guys, but when you see this film you can see that we don't have that mindset. We don't let anything hold us back from surfing the best that we can. IML: You started surfing competitively when you were 11. How did being involved so deeply in a sport help you during the pre-teen years?
Lakey: I think that it has been amazing because I'm so busy that I don't have time to get into trouble. Surfing is known to be a party industry, but I'm not really into that whole scene. Don't get me wrong, I have fun but when it's time to focus...It's time to focus. I have that "Just Do It" mentality in me, I think!
Check out Lakey's Save Water Today PSA and learn more about how to do your part:
