Somedays I'm the hippo

Scientists tell us that the Artic ice-caps are melting faster than ever and this means that "sea-level rise is worse than we thought". Read the full New Scientist article here. What would life be without the Florida pan-handle? And I bet the top of Table Mountain would make a lovely beach. *Vote now for it to be one of the New 7 wonders of nature*. That might be a bit extreme - I'm sure you get the point.

Last weekend when it was icy-cold in Joburg and as I was standing in the shower I got thinking about how the ice-caps are melting and yet some of the people that could do anything about it, were freezing. The warm steamy water served as a melting medium defrosting my extremities... and I just stood there.

We're often told that showers are more water and energy efficient. I guess this does not apply when you stand in the shower even an extra 3 minutes to defrost, de-stress or de-dirt. With a water crisis looming, my extra time in the shower did my Catholic guilt no favours. So I blog before you today saying: "Hi. My name is Terri and some days I'm the hippo".

If you're privileged, like me, to be able to watch the Discovery channel or Animal planet you may have seen their "Save their planet" campaign, specifically the spot advocating using only the water you need. Watch the clip on YouTube here. Yup yup yup. Some days I'm the hippo. Taking a long hot bath and using your dexterous chimp foot skills^ to keep topping up the water is the likely equivalent to the sauna-esque shower. We're blessed to have had those days. Use them wisely.

^ with apologies to the original author, who shall in the interest of protecting their life from an angry mob of thirsty animals, remain anonymous.