According to the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), more than 1 billion people – about one in six people in this world – have no access to clean and safe drinking water while over 2.5 billion lack access to adequate sanitation. The effects of unclean water often lead to an endless cycle of poverty, conflict, disease and death. All this while you and I enjoy nearly 100 gallons of water EVERY DAY here in the United States. It is estimated by the US Geological Survey that in 2000, we used 408 billion gallons per day!
There are several ways we can help families and children around the world who do no have what we have. First things first, water conservation. No, go ahead and continue to take showers, but consider the 100 Ways To Conserve list as you find new ways to conserve water.
Check out these statistics:
>>97.5% of the earth's water is saltwater. If the world's water fitted into a bucket, only one teaspoonful would be drinkable.
>>At any given time, almost half the population of the developing world is suffering from one or more of the main diseases associated with inadequate provision of water and sanitation.
>>Over 1 billion people in the world do not have access to safe water. This is roughly one in eight of the world's population.
>>2.5 billion people in the world do not have access to adequate sanitation, this is almost two fifths of the world's population.
>>1.8 million children die every year as a result of diseases caused by unclean water and poor sanitation.
>>The simple act of washing hands with soap and water can reduce diarrhoeal diseases by over 40%. (British Medical Journal)
>>The average European uses 200 litres of water every day. North Americans use 400 litres (105 gallons)
>>The average person in the developing world uses 10 litres of water every day for their drinking, washing and cooking. (Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council (WSSCC))
>>On current trends over the next 20 years humans will use 40% more water than they do now. (UN Environment Programme (UNEP)
More statistics can be found here.
Take Action!
A simple search in your browser will show tons of organizations who are searching sustainable ways to get people water. You can get involved but it's really up to you. There are people who need Your help now. Go grab a glass of water, sit down and consider getting involved in saving lives through ending water poverty! Here are just some link to organizations who give relief and who seek solutions to water poverty:
End Water Poverty
WaterAid
Mercy Corps
Wherever The Need
The Water Project
UN Water
Drop In The Bucket
Water Wells For Africa
Africare
PlayPumps
More links to come!