Although almost two thirds of the planet is covered by water, less than 1% of this is readily drinkable. Since 1993, March 22nd has been designated as International World Water Day to highlight the global issue of safe drinking water and proper sanitation. Earlier this month the UN announced that it has met it's Millennium Development Goal of improving access to clean drinking water ahead of the 2015 deadline. Compared to 76% in 1990, 89% of people now have improved water supplies. Of the remaining minority, a staggering 40% live in sub-Saharan Africa. The problem is compounded by the related widespread lack of adequate sanitation, another signifier of poverty and disease, particularly in India where almost 630 million people don't have access to a toilet. Unsafe water and sanitation causes 80% of all sickness and disease. The solutions proposed are comprehensive and cover changes to education, legislation and agricultural practice, with sustainability being the key factor. Digging wells and boreholes, harvesting rainwater, protecting rivers, lakes and springs, water filtering and purification all have their roles. But the overwhelming message is that really what is required is a fundamental shift in our consciousness in terms of how we relate to water as a natural, and possibly the most important, resource. Most importantly, developed world countries need to recognize that water and energy are mutually dependent resources. Many countries are making commendable efforts to help meet demands through recycling and desalination plants. These processes are energy intensive, and the production of energy requires water. In fact all forms of production use water. Depending on the climate and methods used, producing 1 cup of coffee can use 140 litres of water, 1 glass of wine 120 litres, 1 glass of beer 75 litres, 1 glass of milk 200 litres, an egg 135 litres, a bag of potato crisps 185 litres, a hamburger 2400 litres, 1 beef steak 7000 litres and a new car 148 000 litres. Currently more than a billion people on Earth have to make do with around only 5 litres of water a day to wash, cook, clean and drink. Investing in water stressed communities yields tremendous results. Charity: water and Water.org continue to show how a donation of as little as 20$ can gift another human being with safe drinking water. For every 1$ invested in water, sanitation and hygiene programs there is an estimated 8$ return in improved local economies and lowered healthcare costs. Children are able attend to school, women are free to pursue jobs, communities can feed and improve themselves. Anyone reading this is privileged and there's a lot we can do: The minimum is to be more aware of our water and energy consumption. As consumers we can support local farmers. We can be aware of where of how and from where large corporations obtain their resources and produce their products. We can make the effort to seek out fair/direct trade products and even request suppliers to stock fair trade products. And if you'd like to support the Good News Campaign to gift a community with its own clean water supply please follow the link and make a contribution.
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