Why Water?
Right now, almost a billion people on the planet don’t have access to clean, safe drinking water. That’s one in eight of us.
Unsafe water and lack of basic sanitation cause 80% of diseases and kill more people every year than all forms of violence, including war. Children are especially vulnerable, as their bodies aren't strong enough to fight diarrhea, dysentery and other illnesses. The UN predicts that one tenth of the global disease burden can be prevented simply by improving water supply and sanitation.
But, water moves beyond just a human rights issue. It’s an environmental issue, an animal welfare issue, a sustainability issue. Water is a global issue, deserving a global conversation.
The statistics below are not minority statistics, they are majority. Please understand those of you who have constant access to clean water supply are in the minority, so please think again before you turn on the tap:
Right now, almost a billion people on the planet don’t have access to clean, safe drinking water. That’s one in eight of us.
health and sanitation: Unsafe water and lack of basic sanitation cause 80% of diseases and kill more people every year than all forms of violence, including war. Children are especially vulnerable, as their bodies aren't strong enough to fight diarrhea, dysentery and other illnesses.
38,000 Children a Week: Every week, nearly 38,000 children under the age of 5 die from unsafe drinking water and unhygienic living conditions, that's 90% of the 42,000 deaths that occur every week from unsafe water and unhygienic living conditions.
Many of these diseases are preventable. The UN predicts that one tenth of the global disease burden can be prevented simply by improving water supply and sanitation.
women and children: In Africa alone, people spend 40 billion hours every year just walking for water. Women and children usually bear the burden of water collection, walking miles to the nearest source, which is unprotected and likely to make them sick.
Time spent walking and resulting diseases keep them from school, work and taking care of their families.
Along their long walk, they're subjected to a greater risk of harassment and sexual assault. Hauling cans of water for long distances takes a toll on the spine and many women experience back pain early in life.
With safe water nearby, women are free to pursue new opportunities and improve their families’ lives. Kids can earn their education and build the future of their communities.
What can we do?
Donate > Help fund water projects around the world via charity: water
Educate your children > If we want to ensure our children and their children always have a clean, fresh supply of water, educate them now.
Be a Water Educator > Now you know the extent of the crisis, spread the word - to friends, family, colleagues. It's so important to get the message to as many people as possible: the more people that help, the better the water, the more lives saved.
Lead by example > Look to the way you use water in your own home. What can you do to reduce your consumption. Soy-Eco has some fabulous water-saving devices, for taps, showers, kitchens, gardens... They don't cost the earth, but they will help to save it. Click here to see how you can help in the home.
Top image credit 1: uncultured @FlickR Small image credit: hdptcar @FlickR
