comm speech

Delaney rohrs outline

I. As the population in the U.S continues to grow, so does the need for resources like water. However, as demand is set to increase, our supply is decreasing and is being used faster than it can be naturally replenished causing rising concerns about water supply. 

A. Though the majority of the planet is covered in water, only a small percentage of it is usable. 

B. Water shortages and decreased precipitation have caused droughts in many parts of the country.

B. According to both the EPA and an article published by National Geographic in August of 2020, 40 out of 50 states are anticipating water shortages in coming years as soon as 2024.

B. In addition, many states are already experiencing severe drought. According to data shown by the U.S drought monitor, on January 02, 2001 an average of 6% of the continental U.S was experiencing severe to exceptional drought whereas on January 05 2021, the number was about 33%.

B. This means that the amount of the U.S experiencing serious drought has quintupled.   

B. Even when precipitation is above average or drought ends, aquifers are not suddenly refilled and most places would still require above average rainfall to make that happen. Even then, says NASA’s Famigilietti, places such as “California will still be losing water [because the] state simply does not have enough water to do all the things that it wants to do.” (BBC)

C. These water shortages could be catastrophic to our environment and everyday life. 

C. Severe or exceptional drought can cause agricultural loss and damage. (USDM)

C. Many farmers have been forced to make tough decisions. In a video by NBC, a local California farmer discusses his experience saying that he hopes “to god it doesn’t continue next year because then we may go out of business”. The same man has also lost profit and had to lay off workers due to the lack of water available for growing. 

C. California produces ⅓ of U.S vegetables and ⅔ of U.S fruits and nuts so when farmers and production suffer it impacts consumers across the country.  

(transition: As we move forward, we must respond to these changing conditions and find a way to deal with shortages. )

II. To help combat water shortages and their impact, it’s necessary to conserve water and be conscious of our water usage.

B. Most people use and waste a lot more water than they realise. 

1. According to the U.S Geological Survey, “estimates vary, but, on average, each person uses about 80-100 gallons of water per day, for indoor home uses”.

1. The largest individual uses of water at home come from flushing toilets, brushing teeth, and taking showers. 

1. Even a small, unnoticeable leak in your sink or toilet can waste up to 8,000 gallons of water a year or more (USGS).  

B. It is easy to cut down on this waste and to do your part in saving water.

2. Changing some of your everyday habits can help decrease water usage in small ways and have a big impact.

2. Some examples of how you can conserve water include installing more water-efficient fixtures in your home, taking shorter showers, and turning the water off when you brush your teeth. 

2. We can all use at least 20 percent less water by installing water-efficient fixtures and appliances (EPA).

2. Turning off the tap while brushing your teeth can save 8 gallons of water per day (EPA).

 (transition: Water conservation efforts have been effective in many places across the globe and can provide an example for the rest of the world, including the U.S)

III. By working together to conserve water, the U.S and other countries can make it possible to become water-efficient societies and avoid a troubling reality for future generations. 

C. Some locations that have had major success in moving towards greater water efficiency include Australia, Israel, and Singapore.

1. An article on BBC, highlights Australia surviving its “Millennium Drought” from 1997 to 2009 by rapidly implementing measures that halved business and residential use. 

1. In Israel, they have pushed successful efforts in recycling effluent water.

1. In places such as Manchester and Melbourne, large collections of rainwater are allowing them to capture partially treated water. In fact, “Singapore meets up to 30% of its water needs through rainwater capture” (BBC).

Jack Westcott body outline

I. Need: In the United States we have seen a massive increase in consumption of various products

A. Drew Desilver, a senior writer for Pew Research Center states that grain, fat, and oil consumption has gotten significantly higher over the past several years.

B. Similarly 85% of Americans have a smartphone in 2020 compared to just 35% in 2012.

 

Transition: I also found myself under a very similar mindset of wanting more than I really needed. 

 

II. Satisfaction: Being stuck in this repetitive cycle of always wanting more can become extremely unhealthy. The way I was able to overcome it was through the stoic philosophy of self-moderation.

B. Through limiting my usage and consumption of certain things, I was able to appreciate them more upon using them again. 

B. The ancient stoic Seneca states “Until we have begun to go without them, we fail to realize how unnecessary many things are. We've been using them not because we needed them but because we had them.”

 

Transition: Let me tell you some examples of how you can practice this.

 

III. Visualization: There are countless ways to practice this act of self-moderation

C. I began by sleeping on the floor once a week and Driving my car without air conditioning for a few months.

1. Living without these luxuries I have been able to experience for my whole life made me much more appreciative of all the things I do have.

1. It was only when I took things away that I realized that I was lucky to even have them, to begin with

C. An ancient philosopher Diogenes lived self-moderation through and through

2. Diogenes lived in a large pot and his only possession was a wooden bowl

2. He threw the bowl away upon seeing a young child drink with cupped hands.