Everybody that cares for the environment is trying to go green these days. We keep tabs of our carbon footprint, recycle our waste, and try and be as energy-efficient as we can. We do this to minimize our impact on the environment, in the hope that we can collectively make a difference over time.

There is a lot of focus on carbon emissions at the moment, and the impact of these emissions on global warming and climate change. We are encouraged to do our bit to help reduce these emissions – and many people do. We can measure our carbon footprint with online carbon footprint calculators. Corporate organizations can even purchase carbon credits – these funds are used to plant trees or fund green energy projects to offset the carbon footprint of these companies. But very little emphasis is placed on conserving water – a vital component of all living organisms on earth.

Water is our most precious commodity – every plant and animal living on the planet requires water for its survival – humans are no exception. It is also a commodity that is used in every product that we eat or drink. Every steak, egg or plate of chips that we consume, took quantities of water to cultivate. The same goes for drinks, whether it is freshly squeezed orange juice, a can of soda, or a glass of chardonnay. Yet, it is a commodity that is very often taken for granted.

We flush toxic waste into our rivers; allow our groundwater to become contaminated with countless contaminants including phosphates and nitrates from fertilizers, animal wastes and sewage; pesticides from runoff and arial drift; and many other contaminants, such as pharmaceuticals, plastics, and chemicals, enter water courses to contaminate our precious water reserves. The pollutants flow to the sea, where they cause further environmental damage. While many people are aware of the common forms of water pollution, a less known fact is that we pollute our water during seemingly harmless recreation activities – boating, fishing, and even swimming and surfing. Besides the obvious pollutants that enter water during these activities, toxins from sunscreens are another source of pollutants that enter water while we have fun in the sun. Sunscreens have been implicated as a primary cause of coral bleaching, which is destroying coral reefs in oceans around the world.

However, with the help of some handy online tools, we can now calculate our water footprint, and can even purchase credits to offset this footprint, in much the same manner as we can calculate our carbon footprint using a carbon footprint calculator, and purchase carbon credits to offset our carbon footprint.

Aquatrail Calculator

The Acquatrail calculator, developed by Marine Positive, determines our aquatic footprint by measuring an array of different pollutants, including liquids, solids and gases that enter the aquatic environment through our aquatic activities. It then converts this to a monetary figure that we can pay to offset this footprint. It has two calculators, one for corporations, and one for individuals. The funds generated are used to support aquatic restoration projects around the world through the Going Blue Foundation, who strives to improve the quality of both freshwater and marine ecosystems through a range of rehabilitation projects.

While this provides a mechanism to offset our bad deeds, it would be far better for the environment if we took the time to consider the consequences of our actions, and take preventative measures to reduce our environmental impact, rather than trying to offset it by funding restoration projects.

What you can do:

* Use natural soaps and detergents

* Use a scientifically proven eco-friendly sunscreen

* Don't flush pharmaceuticals, hormone/birth control pills, or other over the counter drugs

* Try to reduce the amount of shampoo and conditioner you use when you wash your hair

* Try to wash your car less often, and use less detergent when you wash it

If everyone does their bit to reduce their aquatic footprint or 'acquatrail', we will be able to gradually reduce our environmental impact on our rivers, lakes and oceans. So, if you have already made the effort to go green, it's now time to go blue too.