All life depends on water on our big “blue planet”, and while Earth is covered with it, only 1% of all the water on the Earth is actually drinkable.
Because of this, many feel that water will be the next ‘peak oil’ – water scarcity is no longer an issue that effects just the desert southwest, especially in times of drought, in the United States. The good news is that, when we understand and appreciate the importance of water — conserving it and protecting it — we can put less stress on our available water resources and make every drop count.
We tend to take for granted our access to safe, plentiful drinking water from our tap. UNICEF estimates that “over 900 million lack access to it and nearly half of those people are children.” This is why UNICEF is expanding its Tap Project nationwide for 2010. After debuting in New York City just three years ago, the Tap Project concept has caught on.
As part of World Water Week (which runs from March 21 through 27th) UNICEF is conducting the Tap Project to help raise funds for water, sanitation and hygiene programs. They are asking restaurants to sign up to participate and diners to donate $1 to UNICEF for the glass of tap water they usually enjoy for free. Restaurants and patrons can also donate online.
Funds UNICEF collects through the 2010 Tap Project will go to countries and areas UNICEF has identified as among the most in need, including Haiti.
“Clean Water for a Healthy World” is the theme for World Water Day 2010 (March 22nd). The overall goal of the World Water Day 2010 campaign is “to raise the profile of water quality at the political level so that water quality considerations are made alongside those of water quantity.”
In the US, our own water infrastructure received failing grades from the American Society of Civil Engineers last year. By being informed and having a voice in your local, regional and national water issues, businesses and individuals can help ensure safe drinking water for our future generations here at home.
In the workplace, businesses engaged in water conservation can not only save money, but make significant contributions to our secure water future. Learn more about water issues. Start with making every drop count.
Take back your tap and contact your local utility company or water management district/water management board for water conservation and water protection tips that are most useful for your community.
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Good article, Meryl, on why awareness of water shortages, cleanliness and distribution should be much greater than it is. For some sobering facts on the water global crisis, check out this link: http://water.org/learn-about-the-water-crisis/facts/
Water will indeed be the oil of the 21st Century. Access to water will be made all the more challenging given shifting weather patterns due to global warming. Think about this: most water infrastructure has been built based on weather patterns that have been in place for very long periods of time. What is going to happen when those patterns change due to global warming? There will be many opportunities for companies to save and make money in the area of microsustainability of water.