Drink Up…if you can
March 21, 2007 at 9:22 pm | In Take Action | 2 CommentsDid you know that more than one billion people lack access to a safe supply of drinking water? Did you know that water-related diseases are the leading causes of death in the world claiming more than 14,000 people a day and is responsible for 80% of all sickness in the world?
Today, March 22, is World Water Day. To be honest I had no idea such a thing existed until I caught a commercial with Jay-Z talking about his contributions to bring clean water to rural Africa. His vision incorporated playground equipment that while in use would pump clean water into areas in desperate need of drinking water.
The UN’s Water For Life campaign began a new program in 2005 entitled International Decade for Action. According to their website, the UN’s primary focus is to “reduce by half the proportion of people without access to safe drinking water by 2015 and to stop unsustainable exploitation of water resources.” Click here for a general overview of water and sanitation statistics complied by UNICEF and The World Health Organization.
How can you help? You can always donate to UNICEF or the United Nations so that appropriate funds can be allocated to get the water where it needs to be. But you can also always start at home by turning off the water when you brush your teeth or taking a shorter shower each day. Sometimes it’s difficult to imagine the obstacles people face in their day-to-day living when we have it so extremely well in this country. My point? I guess to think a little further than our own backyard and to reach out across cultural lines to help those in need.
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Part of the problem is global warming. The ice shelfs that have supplied fresh drinking water for 80% of the world are melting and soon the fresh water will be scarce.
Since you’re taking a bit of a political stand, I’ll do it too. Please, people, please recycle EVERYTHING you can. If it’s plastic or paper put it in your recycle bins. Try to reduce your garbage bags by one each week until you’re down to two. We have four recycle bins and it’s a personal goal of mine to fill them up every week.
We need to do this for our children. Don’t think of your world, think of theirs.
Comment by Michelle S. — March 22, 2007 #
Recycling is an easy thing to do too. It may only take an extra minute of your time but the rewards will be huge for future generations.
Another great idea, check out what Cole has to say over at blahblahblah regarding community supported agricultural groups. I’m going to take her up on her challenge and get myself involved this spring/summer.
Comment by drivereight — March 22, 2007 #