今年台灣的氣候變化多端，還記得上半年水庫缺水見底的景象，使得不少地區面臨限水，民眾相當無奈。還好梅雨及時降臨以及後續鋒面的報到，讓各地水庫陸續進帳；然而，炎炎暑假中，台灣幾個地區竟然又發生因豪大雨而淹水的窘境，前後反差讓專家憂心忡忡。雖然天氣多變，但還是必須有水當思無水之苦，懂得珍惜水資源，以及學習節約用水的智慧。
97.5% of the world's water is locked in seas and oceans, too salty for human use. And most of theremaining 2.5% is in the ice caps.
世界上有97.5%的水是海水，太鹹不適合人類飲用。而剩下的2.5%（淡水）大部分則是封存在冰帽之中。
But we don't just use water for drinking.We wash in it, clean with it, and use it to produce everything from clothing to food. Crop production–includingfeed for livestock and biofuels–is putting a great strain on fresh water supplies.
我們不止將水用來飲用。我們用水來洗東西、清潔、還有製造各式物品，從衣物到食物。農作物的生產，從牲畜飼料到生物燃料等，都為水資源的供應帶來不少壓力。
我們都知道不少節約用水的方式，接下來我們來看看怎麼用英文說明這些省水的貼心舉動。
1. Turn off the taps 關緊水龍頭
Don't let your water consumption run out of control. Save 6liters of water a minute by turning off your tap while you brush your teeth.Fix leaky taps too and stop what could be 60 liters of water going straight down the drain every week.
不要讓你的用水量失控。當你刷牙時記得關上水龍頭，你就可以省下一分鐘六公升的水量。還要記得修理漏水的水龍頭，因為每周的漏水量可能高達60公升呢。
2. Shower with less 洗澡時省點水
Every minute you spend in a power shower uses up to 17 liters of water. Set a timer on your phone to keep your showers short, sweet and water-saving.
每分鐘以強力水壓的淋浴洗澡用水量高達17公升。洗澡時可以設手機鬧鐘計時，減少洗澡時間，同時可以洗香香又省水。
Switching to an efficient shower head will allow you to lather up in less water, which means you'll save water and cut your bills.
換一個省水蓮蓬頭可以讓你在身上抹泡泡時省點水，同時節水又減少開支。
3. Save up your dirty clothes 髒衣物一起洗
Washing a full machine load of clothes uses less water and energy than 2 half-loads. This means lower bills as well.
一次洗滿桶衣物所用的水電量，比起洗兩次半桶衣物所耗的水電量少。這也代表水費會少一點。
4. Steam your food 食物用蒸的
Steam your food to cut water usage andretain more of the natural nutrients.
食物用蒸的可以省水，而且還可以保留更多天然營養素。
If you do boil, try using the leftover water as a tasty stock for soups. Or let it cool and use it to water plants.
如果要用水煮，可以拿汆燙食物的水作為煮湯用的美味高湯。或者等到水冷了，拿來澆花。
幫海報小圖選出最適合的說明
1. Choose water-efficient appliances. More stars = more savings.
2. Install a rainwater tank. Rebates can save you $.
3. Fix dripping taps. Check toilet leaks with food dye in the cistern（水箱）.
解答：A. (2),B. (3),C. (1)
文／吳詩綺
現職：國立師大附中英文科教師、ETS認證托福網路測驗專業發展工作坊講師
學歷：國立中央大學英美語文學系碩士
經歷：美國佛羅里達大學教育系訪問學者、教育部行動研究特優教案得主
延伸閱讀》缺水危機解除 來認識這些關鍵字想瞭解更多英文學習資訊，歡迎加入EnglishOK LINE@