Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Solutions For Water Crisis World Wide

By Edwin G. Harper


For too many years people have been exploiting the environment, and now that it's time to take steps to correct all the problems we have created, people are turning a deaf ear. It's like when the government talks about cuts and everyone says, "That's a good idea, but don't cut anything that affects me!" Every year we pour millions of gallons of waste products into our existing fresh water resources and, if we think about it at all, we consider it the "other guy's" problem. No one seems to comprehend how serious the situation is to everything that is living on this planet. We all need to do what we can to change, and we need to do it now.

For generations people living in the developed world had confidence in their supply. As more people living in big cities have come to learn they are drinking recycled H2O many have become concerned. Many municipal water districts have come under intense scrutiny as information has come out regarding the presence of known carcinogens in the H2O supply. It has given rise to calls for more federal oversight of the H2O systems in the United States. There are also calls for more education programs.

We live in a country filled with plenty, and there are those who believe that our water can never run out; however, 20% of the people in the world have no access to clean, safe drinking water. When you hear 20%, do you know how many people are being affected by water shortages? That's a whopping 1,200 million. The problem is so drastic in some areas that it has become the major cause of death for children under the age of five in some areas of the world, and scientists are saying that within the next few decades this same thing could happen to us unless we initiate measures as soon as possible.

Water-related diseases accounts for a staggering number of deaths and diseases. One out of every four child deaths in the world is due to a water-related disease. This accounts for 1.4 million child deaths a year, due to diarrheal complication such as cholera, typhoid fever and dysentery, and other water-borne infections. At any given time, half of the world's medical attention is given to patients suffering from water-related diseases. This should not be of any surprise, considering that in developing countries about 80% of illnesses are linked to poor water and sanitation conditions.

What can be done to improve the conditions of water worldwide? Although it is difficult to directly assist communities in obtaining healthy water, you can donate money to non-profit organizations such as the Water Project and World Health Organization. These types of organizations give donations to governments in hope of improving their infrastructure and increasing the available water supply to the communities.

Another important action is to simply spread the word. Most people are unaware of the horrible conditions of water scarcity and contamination in developing countries. By re-posting articles or telling a friend in person, more people will become cognizant of the situation and decide they need to take action as well. Improving water conditions around the world will save children from needless death and improve the quality of life for many.




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