As summer winds down, UU Conscious Consumers challenges you to pay closer attention to something we often take for granted: water. Rivers and reservoirs across the U.S. and Europe are at record low levels, reminding us that clean, accessible water is quickly becoming a precious commodity —and one we need to treat that way. This month, challenge yourself to start paying closer attention to your household water use. Look at your water bills over time and notice how much you’re using. Awareness matters. When it’s time to replace an appliance, resolve to choose a water-saving model. If you’re a gardener, put a rain barrel on your Christmas list and use collected rainwater for watering.

Small changes can add up—and treating water as the precious resource it is is a good place to start.