The majority quickly changed habits and saved water when confronted with the data.

BBC: How will our future cities look?

The mayor's suggestion in the summer heatwave of 2005 that Londoners saved water by flushing the toilet less frequently was considered an act of sacrifice too far for most people -- global warming or not.

CNN: London leads climate change fight

Globally, water is saved if agricultural products are traded from regions with high water productivity to those with low water productivity.

UNESCO: Summary

In Acadia Parish, rescuers saved close to 80 people from rising water, including 20 at an oil well.

CNN: More rain for flooded parts of Louisiana

Fishermen in a passing boat saved her life when they plucked her out of water filled with debris.

CNN: Tsunami survivor: Baby brought me luck

In December, a woman being washed away in flood water near Umberleigh, Devon, was saved and 12 people were rescued in Lostwithiel, Cornwall.

BBC: RNLI's 'busiest' year for SW flood rescues

But when Chouinard counseled Walmart on sustainability, the retail behemoth found it actually saved money through environmental initiatives, like reducing its packaging and water consumption.

WSJ: Patagonia's Founder is America's Most Unlikely Business Guru