MONTREAL, QUEBEC — (Marketwire) — 03/12/12 — Editors– Note: There are three photos associated with this press release.
ONE DROP launches operation “There–s water on our plates!” to raise people–s awareness of the impact their food choices have on water resources and encourage them to adopt environmentally responsible food practices. As part of this 20th edition of World Water Day, for which the theme is water and food security, the operation includes a series of tools, primarily focused on social media.
“Less than 1% of the total volume of water on Earth is usable for our consumption and daily needs. Agriculture accounts for 70% of it, as a significant amount of water is necessary to produce our food. Furthermore, 30% of the food produced worldwide is lost or wasted. And since water is limited on our planet, our consumption choices have a direct impact on this resource,” explains Lili-Anna Peresa, Executive Director of ONE DROP.
To make a difference, ONE DROP is proposing two courses of action. First, promote more frequent meat-less meals, knowing that 1 kg of meat requires 15-20 times more water to produce than the same amount of cereals. Second, cook only the quantities actually needed to satisfy your appetite, since discarded food represents water wasted that could have been used for other needs.
Online awareness-raising and mobilization
From March 5 to 22, 2012, ONE DROP will be sharing relevant information in a fun way on its social networks, in hopes of raising Internet users– awareness of the impact their food choices have on water resources. Every day on Instagram, ONE DROP will publish photos to illustrate statistics and suggestions, and invite Internet users to do the same using #1drop. This hash tag will also be used on Twitter to easily keep track of actions taken by people to consume less water. On Facebook, Internet users will also be able to take the “What–s your cooking style?” quiz, which focuses on their eating habits.
A Cirque du Soleil chef cooks for us
Internet users are also invited to visit World Water Day–s on the ONE DROP , where they will find “low-water” recipes created by Cirque du Soleil® chef Francois Martin. They are invited to try them out and share their experiences online. In addition to concise and sometimes surprising information that helps quickly understand the problem of water in relation to food, visitors will discover tips for “eating less water.”
Students get involved
The ePals educational platform, which reaches out to more than 25 million elementary and high school students and teachers, has also been put to use. The set of activities intended for students and teachers includes a game especially developed for World Water Day. Students are invited to make up a plate of food that is nutritionally balanced while keeping it low in water consumption.
ONE DROP on display
For the first time ever this year, ONE DROP will be one of the exhibitors at the Expo Manger Sante et Vivre Vert being held from March 16 to18 at Montreal–s Palais des Congres, where they will be informing the public of issues related to water and food. The 2012 edition marks the 15th anniversary of this event, which attracts thousands of visitors every year. On March 22, ONE DROP, in collaboration with Cirque du Soleil chef Francois Martin, will offer staff at International Headquarters a “low-water” menu and will be on hand to celebrate water with them. Until March 26, ONE DROP will also be present at the 2-22, at La Vitrine, to present CyclO, an interactive facility that presents the water cycle.
About ONE DROP
ONE DROP-an initiative of Guy Laliberte, Founder of Cirque du Soleil®-is a non-governmental organization established in 2007. ONE DROP fights poverty by supporting access to water and raising individual and community awareness of the need to mobilize so that safe water is accessible to all, in sufficient quantity, today and tomorrow. With its uniquely artistic approach, ONE DROP educates and implements site-specific safe water solutions while allocating microfinance loans to help ensure sustainable development. Worldwide, ONE DROP–s ongoing creative projects also raise awareness about water-related issues and encourage smarter water practices. To learn more, visit .
To view the photos associated with this press release, please visit the following links:
Contacts:
Marie-Eve Roy, Communications Director, ONE DROP
514-723-7646, ext 7029, Mobile :+438-402-6075