As we move through May 2026, our connection to Earth’s lifeblood is being tested. New Jersey remains under “drought warning” and has been in a drought watch or warning for 21 of the last 24 months. This should serve as a stark reminder that the water flowing through our rivers and our veins is a finite, sacred blessing, not an infinite commodity.

In this season of broad and widespread water scarcity, there is a push for massive water-intensive projects—from the threat of sprawling data centers and industrial pipelines. This is a direct threat to our collective survival. When we prioritize industries that consume millions of gallons daily while polluting the very aquifers we rely on, we are actively trading long-term sanctity for short-term gain. During a drought, every drop diverted for industrial purposes or lost to pipeline contamination is a gallon stolen from our ecosytems and communities.

We are called to move beyond mere usage and toward true protection and conservation:

Release the Green Lawn: Let’s allow any lawn we have to go dormant and replace it with drought resistant native species belonging to the local soil.
Heal the Leaks: A single dripping faucet is a wound in our supply. Fixing small leaks and keeping showers 5-10 minutes are simple acts of reverence.
Protect the Source: Utilize rain barrels to catch and keep the sky’s gifts within a garden. Promote this in your community to expand the impacts of visible, tangible education.

Check out NJ Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP)’s conservation tips and share with your neighbors, friends and family. May we treat drought not as a temporary inconvenience, but as a call to protect the water that connects us all.