Our climate is prone to droughts, along with wildfires in the summer. These have grown worse, and while many factors are involved, scientists say climate change does make things worse. 

It used to be standard practice for people to have a lush green lawn of grass in their front and back yards. Now, having a lawn is viewed as wasteful and antisocial. Now, people plant native or drought-tolerant species in their yards instead. People also turn their yards into little vegetable gardens, so when they water they are producing healthy organic foods. Other practices are found on the California Save Our Water website.

There is also the practice of "water shaming" that occurs. A government water district will release the name and address of the water consumers who are using up the most water. Usually it is a professional athlete, Internet tycoon or some other wealthy celebrity. The television news reports on it and this often results in a public statement or apology, with an explanation that there was a leak that has been discovered and fixed. Here is an example of a news report: CBS News celebrity water wasters reporting on Hollywood celebrities wasting water. 

Can these practices help us adapt to save water in our changing climate? It is hard to tell, but all of these individual actions to be vigilant about not wasting water seem to be adding up to a different mindset about this precious resource.