As the temperatures rise and the days grow hotter, the importance of water conservation becomes increasingly clear. At Animal Emergency Australia (AEA), we recognise that even small changes can have a significant impact on our environment. That’s why we’ve partnered with Vets for Climate Action to take meaningful steps toward more sustainable practices within our clinics. Read all about Climate Care: Water Conservation in the Clinic in this blog post.
Why Water Conservation Matters
Water is one of our most precious resources, and in the face of climate change, its conservation is more critical than ever. Veterinary clinics, like many businesses, can be heavy water users. From cleaning and sterilisation to providing care for our patients, water plays a vital role in our daily operations. However, with a few mindful adjustments, we can drastically reduce our water usage without compromising the quality of care we provide.
Our Commitment to Climate Action
At AEA, our commitment to the environment goes hand in hand with our commitment to providing exceptional care for our patients. By joining forces with Vets for Climate Action, we’ve been able to focus on practical, actionable changes that align with our environmental goals. One of our first targets was to assess and reduce water consumption in our clinics—a task that has already yielded impressive results.
Climate Care: Water Conservation in the Clinic – Simple Changes, Big Impact
When we began investigating water consumption in our practices, we kicked off with a company-wide survey to gauge our team’s attitudes and knowledge about water usage, both generally and in the context of veterinary practices. This survey was instrumental in sparking conversations and opening our team’s eyes to the fact that we can, and should, do better.
Leading by Example
At AEA, we believe that our actions speak louder than words. By implementing these water conservation measures, we’re not only reducing our environmental footprint but also setting a positive example for other veterinary practices. Climate care is a shared responsibility, and we’re proud to lead the way in sustainable practices within the veterinary community.
What’s Next?
Our work doesn’t stop here. We’re continuously exploring new ways to enhance our sustainability efforts, from reducing waste to improving energy efficiency. Water conservation is just the beginning, and we’re excited to see how these initiatives will continue to evolve. As we move forward, we encourage other veterinary practices to join us in this important mission. Together, we can make a meaningful difference in the fight against climate change while ensuring that our clinics operate efficiently and responsibly.
Climate Care: Water Conservation in the Clinic & How To Get Involved
Are you interested in learning more about how you can implement water conservation practices in your clinic? Stay tuned for upcoming resources and guides from AEA and Vets for Climate Action. Let’s work together to protect our environment and ensure a sustainable future for all. Join us in making climate care a priority—because every drop counts.
Why Do We Need to Do Better?
Many of us don’t realise the vast amount of water required to produce the everyday items we use and consume. For instance, if you’re wearing cotton scrubs right now, it took about 2,500 liters of water to make them. And if you’re enjoying an apple, that adds another 125 liters of water to your daily footprint (source: Water Footprint Network). This doesn’t mean you should stop wearing scrubs or eating apples, but it does highlight how deeply our daily lives rely on, and impact, this precious resource.
The Bigger Picture
While our water consumption continues to rise, our available water supplies remain limited. According to the United Nations, global water consumption has been increasing by 1% per year since the 1980s and is projected to keep rising until 2050. This growth is driven by population increases, economic development, and changing consumption patterns. Unfortunately, this trend is unsustainable, which is why it’s crucial for us to become more water-wise.
Making a Difference
Climate Care: Water Conservation in the Clinic
Through a detailed review of our in-clinic water usage, we identified several areas where small adjustments could lead to significant savings. For example, by installing low-flow faucets and optimizing our cleaning processes, we were able to halve water usage in some of our clinics within just a few months. Dr. Philippa King from our Jindalee hospital, played a key role in this initiative by demonstrating how much water each of our taps could fill in just minutes. She then collaborated with a local plumber to install aerators on the taps, adjusting the water flow to suit the specific needs of each one.
This proactive approach not only saves water but also sets an example of how small, practical changes can make a big impact on our environmental footprint.
Leading by Example
At AEA, we believe that our actions speak louder than words. By implementing these water conservation measures, we’re not only reducing our environmental footprint but also setting a positive example for other veterinary practices. Climate care is a shared responsibility, and we’re proud to lead the way in sustainable practices within the veterinary community.
What’s Next?
Our work doesn’t stop here. We’re continuously exploring new ways to enhance our sustainability efforts, from reducing waste to improving energy efficiency. Water conservation is just the beginning, and we’re excited to see how these initiatives will continue to evolve. As we move forward, we encourage other veterinary practices to join us in this important mission. Together, we can make a meaningful difference in the fight against climate change while ensuring that our clinics operate efficiently and responsibly.
Climate Care: Water Conservation in the Clinic & How To Get Involved
Are you interested in learning more about how you can implement water conservation practices in your clinic? Stay tuned for upcoming resources and guides from AEA and Vets for Climate Action. Let’s work together to protect our environment and ensure a sustainable future for all. Join us in making climate care a priority—because every drop counts.
