Clean Water

Image: Cary Wolinsky

Water covers almost 70% of the planet and the human body contains more than 60% of water. So, these facts make water one of the most important substances in the world. When I think of sustainable development, I first think of the importance of water. Without it, it will be the end of any type of living form in the world. In my opinion, the lack of water is what will bring the “end” of this planet.

In most developing countries, many people still don’t have access to potable water, meaning safe and clean water for their everyday use. According to the UN, more than 1 Billion people don’t have access to water. Also more than 3.5 million people die each year from water-related disease and 84 percent are children. The most water related diseases are diarrhea, malnutrition or malaria to cite a few. People are dying everyday because they don’t have access to clean water. This is a very maddening reality especially when we know how the most developed countries waste so much of all type of resources especially water. I mean seriously, is it really so hard to turn off the water while brushing your teeth?

What we all need to remember is that water is a finite substance. We can’t continue to waste it as if it will never end. But most importantly, we need to make sure that people in developing countries have access to clean and safe water. The problem is how can we stop or prevent water contamination from happening? There are many ways to contaminate water. Most water contamination are created by human because people in poor countries don’t have adequate sanitation system, meaning they defecate anywhere. Also natural disasters like the March 10, 2011 earthquake in China which reached 5.8 magnitudes also can cause many pollutants to get in the water.

Sustainable development has become more popular in recent years. The UN has had many conferences and reports on water sustainability. But recently I came across another organization called Water.org that focuses on bringing potable water to poor countries around the world. Stop by next week to read more on this organization. But in the mean time, check out these website below.



http://www.un.org/en/globalissues/water/

http://water.org/learn-about-the-water-crisis/billion/

http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/diseases/diseasefact/en/index.html

http://www.unesco.org/water/wwap/wwdr/