

In the US, not a second thought is given to "letting the water run until it's hot (or cold)" or laying the hose down while the water is still pouring through to run and answer the phone. The average American uses 159 gallons of water every day – more than 15 times the average person in the developing world.
Is the world water supply in jeopardy? Technically, no, there's plenty out there - not unless global warming starts boiling the oceans, not likely to happen in our lifetimes. Logistically, getting H20 to the places where it is needed most is the biggest challenge. Ethically, private enterprise could prove to be a monumental threat: Access to water may be the most important political and environmental issue of the century.

Irena Salina builds a case against the growing privatization of the world's fresh water supply through interviews with scientists and activists, and "introduces many of the governmental and corporate culprits behind the global water grab." Indeed, banks are already getting involved: The World Bank is supporting the Nigerian Government to provide potable water supply to urban residents in Lagos and Cross River states.
For developed countries and the Bric group - Brazil, Russia, India and China - alone, "$800bn per year will be required by 2015 to cover investments in water infrastructure, a target likely to go unmet."
So, what will happen with water? Instead of WAITING to find out, it's time for YOU, whoever you are, wherever you are, to be more active when it comes to water issues in your community. And look beyond your own place, support global initiatives to support clean water and to keep it flowing FREEly.
Tags: Blog Action Day 2010, Blog Action Day 2010

Hi Dave - it's a great initiative - thanks for posting. We agree that the value of freshwater ecosystems is so often taken for granted.
ReplyDeleteYou might be interested to see our blog on freshwater biodiversity for the event (and previous blog on the Vorosmarty et al paper the water security map is from), at: http://biofreshblog.wordpress.com/2010/10/15/getting-it-together-for-freshwater-ecosystems/
Cheers
Rob @ BioFresh
Very true--we take water for granted! Like taking months before fixing a leaky tap, etc.!
ReplyDeleteAnd thank YOU for shedding important light to a key issue. Glad we're all together in this.
ReplyDeleteThis is such an important issue
ReplyDeleteVery important post! Well done! I like how you try to inform and activate your readers. We can do so much by reaching outside our realms, especially when calling in or writing to our representatives to insist on better policies. How we spend our dollars too. ;>)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Dave. Important (and true) stuff here!
ReplyDeleteWhere I live, in the great lakes area, people are incredibly wasteful of water.
Thanks for spreading the word about Water, Dave.
ReplyDeleteGood post, Dave! Though it's scary that the 'free' advertising on your blog was for Deer Park water and how it's better than filtered tap water!
ReplyDeleteOz
Excellent post! I especially like the last part ... that we should each take a look beyond our own places! Perhaps if we all did that, we could make changes so that everyone, worldwide, has clean water.
ReplyDeleteHi Dave!
ReplyDeleteWe should fight against privatization of water resources. Access to fresh, clean water is a basic human right. Great article, thanks!
Thanks for a great post! It is important to keep in mind that the logistics and corporate interests are two of the biggest challenges.
ReplyDeleteYour readers may also enjoy the images I gathered from the Flickr Commons showing ways that water has been moved around over the past century.
Hi Dave
ReplyDeleteIf people realised more the intrinsic value of water to people, economies and eco-systems they would value it more and be less inclined to squander it.
Excellent post and good going on helping spread the word on Blog Action Day 2010.
Angela.
Very informative Dave, we should all think about how much water we waste a day in comparison to the people who don't have access to it.
ReplyDeleteI've written a post in participation to this event that can inform us of the dangers of not having access to treated water facilities. Thanks for sharing.
http://guijarrodesign.com/2010/10/15/xv-lack-of-sanitation-the-worlds-leading-cause-of-infections/
I'm feeling hopeful today, with so many bloggers joining forces. Those of us in the Western world need to be snapped out of our cozy cocoons from time to time, and reminded what really matters. Thanks for your part in that - you raise so many important issues!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I am honored to be participating in such a worthy cause!
ReplyDeleteAwesome post, very informative, thank you!
ReplyDeleteThis weekend, Saturday October 16, 2010 don’t miss your opportunity to hear Ben Rattray CEO of Change.org and our very own Jeremy Anticouni on Make It Work Radio discussing Blog Action Day and its role in shaping the vast and diverse culture of the internet. Tune in at 1pm PST on KNX 1070 NEWSRADIO, 3pm PST on KSFO 560 and streaming live at makeitwork.com/radio.
ReplyDeleteThanks for spreading the word about this topic. I really do think more people need to be aware of their environment and not take it for granted.
ReplyDeleteThanks for writing about this important issue. Water waste in the US is a huge issue, and we haven't even really mentioned corporate agricultural misuse of water. Lots to think about!
ReplyDeleteSo, what will happen with water? Instead of WAITING to find out, it's time for YOU - That is right. I totally agree.
ReplyDelete