Monday, 21 September 2009 | posted by scott.forbes
'I’m dying of thirst!'
Well, we just might! It sounds so simple, H20 - two parts hydrogen, one part oxygen. But this element better known as water, is the most essential, next to air, to our survival. Water truly is everywhere as we already know, yet still most take it for granted some of us are privileged to be able to use 200 litres of clean water a day, whilst others in developing countries are limited to using just 10 litres enough for a watering can!
I want to share a video with you all, that really does make you stop and think, but also makes you realise just how much we take for granted with the use of clean water within our own homes...
It's scary to think that 2.5 billion people still don't have access to adequate sanitation and clean water, which kills just over 2.5 million children from preventable illnesses such as diarrhoea, that's roughly 4,000 children a day which equates to about 160 infant school classrooms lost to something we can prevent at the mere cost of $11.3 billion.
The next time you go to tip a glass of water out just ask yourself is it really necessary, or when you use the phrase 'I'm dying of thirst' just how privileged you really are to be drinking that clean water, whilst others are dying around the world due to lack of clean sanitised water!
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22 September 2009
Hey Scott
that’s a wonderful piece of literature for highlighting the importance of water .
With respect to the physical alternatives to fulfill sustainable management of freshwater, there are two solutions: finding alternate or additional water resources using conventional centralised approaches; or better utilising the limited amount of water resources available in a more efficient way. To date, much attention has been given to the first option and only limited attention has been given to optimising water management systems. Among the various alternative technologies to augment freshwater resources, rainwater harvesting and utilisation is a decentralised, environmentally sound solution, which can avoid many environmental problems often caused in conventional large-scale projects using centralised approaches. Rainwater harvesting systems can provide water at or near the point where water is needed or used. It responds to water scarcity and unequal distribution and provides a direct solution, especially in rural and drought-prone areas.
23 September 2009
So very true! Great stuff Scott keep up your ever so versatile activism.
By the way, I know that lack of water can cause or accelerate certain diseases but have you found examples of that with HIV/AIDS at all? It would be good to know the extent to which poor water impacts human welfare, just for my CAP’s facts and everything.
Thanks!
23 September 2009
Poor water sure does have an impact on human welfare, a mere 2% drop of water in the human body can have stark impacts, which triggers dehydration, short-term memory loss etc. But for those with HIV it is really important they have access to clean fresh water, as unclean water carries a number of germs which makes it harder to treat HIV patients, from those illnesses they would contract from drinking unclean water due to their low immune system! An interesting fact that I stumbled across which is somewhat ironic in a way, but 75% of Americans suffer from mild, chronic dehydration, makes you think really especially as water is so easily available via tap or through buying bottles!
23 September 2009
Very true Scott
, Water scarcity and quality has both direct and indirect impact on the lives of the vulnerable especial people living with diseases like HIV/AIDS. Directly, like Scott said, dehydration itself is not pleasant for sound human development; in Sub-Saharan Africa for instance, water availability and quality is on the low within some communities - this means more water related diseases for people who have weak immune systems due to HIV/AIDS infections. Indirectly, water is a very important resource in the fields of Agriculture, medicine, etc. and lack of it could lead to food insecurity and poor health care delivery; for example a medical center in Ghana namely, Maamobi Polyclinic has had water flow in its tap for the first time in 15 years just last week. Am saying all this to say that, lack of safe drinking water further exacerbate the living condition of people living in extreme poverty coupled with diseases and infections. 
3 October 2009
I’m dying of thirst!’. Absolutely, yes! it is a good title. Sad to think what I’ve done before.
. Water is involved in all bodily functions included digestion, assimilation, elimination, respiration, maintaining temperature integrity and the strength of all bodily structures. Nowdays, the water is polluted with hundreds of toxins and impurities. Authorities only test for a small number of them. How can it works?
By the way, keep your good work. I will support you!