A few days ago I got an invitation to complete a professional survey. Just as I was about to delete the link, I saw an incentive. In exchange for a few minutes, I could make a difference. AND also get a $10 Amazon Gift Card. Or could donate the $10 to 1 of 3 named charities. It was a no brainer. Especially considering how much I'd normally have to work for $10. :-)
And then for some strange reason, I became generous. And instinctively decided that the charities would be able to use the money more effectively than me. And so I selected a charity that I hadn't heard of, yet sounded intriguing. "charity: water"
After completing the survey, I checked out my choice. While I knew that Water was a problem, I had no clue of the extent of the problem. Or of the number of great organizations working to reduce the problem. And make the world a better place.
Here are a few insights that might get us out of our comfort zone, be thankful for what we have and maybe even prod us to do a little more for those who don't.
"
Water is at the core of sustainable development and is critical for socio-economic development, energy and food production, healthy ecosystems and for human survival itself. Water is also at the heart of adaptation to climate change, serving as the crucial link between the society and the environment.
Water is also a rights issue. As the global population grows, there is an increasing need to balance all of the competing commercial demands on water resources so that communities have enough for their needs. In particular, women and girls must have access to clean, private sanitation facilities to manage menstruation and maternity in dignity and safety.
At the human level, water cannot be seen in isolation from sanitation. Together, they are vital for reducing the global burden of disease and improving the health, education and economic productivity of populations.
Water-related challenges
http://www.un.org/en/sections/issues-depth/water/
Why Water?
For people in developing countries, clean water can change everything.
https://www.charitywater.org/global-water-crisis/
And to top it all, I found the story of the founder of charity: water. Moving. And inspirational.
The Spring - The charity: water story
And then for some strange reason, I became generous. And instinctively decided that the charities would be able to use the money more effectively than me. And so I selected a charity that I hadn't heard of, yet sounded intriguing. "charity: water"
After completing the survey, I checked out my choice. While I knew that Water was a problem, I had no clue of the extent of the problem. Or of the number of great organizations working to reduce the problem. And make the world a better place.
Here are a few insights that might get us out of our comfort zone, be thankful for what we have and maybe even prod us to do a little more for those who don't.
"
Water is at the core of sustainable development and is critical for socio-economic development, energy and food production, healthy ecosystems and for human survival itself. Water is also at the heart of adaptation to climate change, serving as the crucial link between the society and the environment.
Water is also a rights issue. As the global population grows, there is an increasing need to balance all of the competing commercial demands on water resources so that communities have enough for their needs. In particular, women and girls must have access to clean, private sanitation facilities to manage menstruation and maternity in dignity and safety.
At the human level, water cannot be seen in isolation from sanitation. Together, they are vital for reducing the global burden of disease and improving the health, education and economic productivity of populations.
Water-related challenges
- 2.1 billion people lack access to safely managed drinking water services. (WHO/UNICEF 2017)
- 4.5 billion people lack safely managed sanitation services. (WHO/UNICEF 2017)
- 340,000 children under five die every year from diarrhoeal diseases. (WHO/UNICEF 2015)
- Water scarcity already affects four out of every 10 people. (WHO)
- 90% of all natural disasters are water-related. (UNISDR)
- 80% of wastewater flows back into the ecosystem without being treated or reused (UNESCO, 2017).
- Around two-thirds of the world’s transboundary rivers do not have a cooperative management framework. (SIWI)
- Agriculture accounts for 70% of global water withdrawal. (FAO)
- Roughly 75% of all industrial water withdrawals are used for energy production. (UNESCO, 2014)
http://www.un.org/en/sections/issues-depth/water/
Why Water?
For people in developing countries, clean water can change everything.
And to top it all, I found the story of the founder of charity: water. Moving. And inspirational.
The Spring - The charity: water story
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