Luke Kirkness: We need to be smarter with how we reduce and reuse water

The School Strike for Climate Change in Tauranga.

OPINION:

We're in hot water with the environment.

We all know the outlook is bleak, something NZME science reporter Jamie Morton is driving home stronger than ever this week.

As Morton pointed out, the best-case scenario is global warming stops somewhere between 2050 and 2070.

The worst case is that, by 2100, New Zealand temperatures end up more than 3C above present — and sea levels rise one metre or even higher.

Elsewhere, scientists are keeping an eagle eye over unusually warm coastal waters around the North Island's east coast.

Water levels in New Zealand's hydro catchments fell to 65 per cent of the average for this time of year, according to network operator Transpower.

The best-case scenario is that global warming stops somewhere between 2050 and 2070. Photo / George Novak

If the climate change outlook continues on the same trajectory for New Zealand, we'll face more heatwaves, floods, and droughts.

That last weather extreme really has me on edge. I think the biggest issue we're going to face is related to water.

Droughts affect everyone: farmers, people who want to keep their car and home clean, green fingers, and backyard cricket enthusiasts.

Just last week, Tauranga City Council announced record low flow in the streams that supply the city's drinking water meant restrictions would remain in place.

The council said it was unprecedented to have restrictions in April.

Up the road in Auckland, their dam levels remain dismally low at just 51.1 per cent compared to the historic average of 77.3 per cent.

To try to combat Tauranga's low water levels, all sprinkler and irrigation systems remain banned.

Residents are not able to hose hard surfaces like paths or driveways at any time, and people can only water by hand between 5am-8am and 5pm-8pm.

More heatwaves, droughts, and flood loom on the horizon. Photo / George Novak

In January, the Bay of Plenty Regional Council issued a water warning for Rotorua over record low stream flows.

It comes after a dry summer for much of the country, especially in the Bay of Plenty.

Niwa revealed temperatures were above average in the region over summer and they are set to remain near or above-average between April and June.

There is some reprieve on the horizon: Rainfall is expected to be near normal or above normal over autumn and into winter.

We need to make the most of this small opportunity to conserve and be smart with water.

Tauranga City Council has extended its water restrictions. Photo / File

That might look like setting up a rainfall storage system on your property to water the garden without using the tap.

Only running dishwashers and washing machines when we have a full load can save water. People should have shorter showers too.

Mowing the lawn a few inches higher than normal can help too by leaving more shade to help with water retention and create deeper roots for healthier grass.

Green fingers should water earlier in the day or evening so water doesn't evaporate.

Watering cans should also be used to keep gardens hydrated and a bucket and sponge to clean the car because running a hose can waste hundreds of litres of water in a short amount of time.

We don't want to end up like Auckland — be smart with your water.