By 2025 two-thirds of the world population
could be living under water stress, creating conditions where water becomes an
impediment to socio-economic development.
Over 800 million people around the world
lack access to a safe water source. 2.5 billion people lack access to adequate sanitation. Poor or no access to safe water and sanitation causes an estimated
2.1 million deaths every year. As demands for water increases, tensions
over scare water resources are likely to rise – both within and between countries. More than 260 rivers basins, home to over 40%
of the world’s population, are shared by two
or more countries.
Women and children are disproportionately
affected by water and sanitation challenges. They usually carry the primary
responsibility for meeting the water needs of the family, foregoing other economic and educational opportunities. Compounding these problems ia the challenge
of climate change. While the conditions will vary across the world, some regions will get drier. Floods and droughts will
become more frequent and severe. International migration will increase and food secruity will be further compromised.
Senator Paul Simon, USA, introduced the "Water
for the World Act of 2005, S.641". In 2011 the Chronicles Group issued an educational
video to outline some of the details of the bill. Click here to watch it. In the U.S. Americans use approximately 100 gallons a day per
person, and
agriculture uses approximately 70% of the available water supply. Many cities are no longer "water sustainable". For example, the city of Memphis depends completely on the
local aquifer.
The poor use of water will have many side effects beyond water shortage. Water shortages exacerbate conflict, destabilising countries and regions. Water shortages compromise food security, reducing yields when global food production needs to double by 2050. Water shortages pose a
particular threat to girls who drop out of school to help their families locate
and carry water.
To cope with the world water problem wide
ranging partnerships must be formed which encourage and facilitate trans-national action. Water programmes in 68 countries feature dynamic partnerships
between Governments, civil society, and the private sector which are raising awareness about this issue and working to fnd solutions.
What can Soroptimists do, as members of civil society? Raise awareness in your community. Encourage careful use of water at home, at school and at work. Think about how consumption patterns impact on water use and look at how small changes can decrease water use, directly or indirectly. Lobby your local decision makers on this issue and ask them what steps they are taking in their area to make water usage more sustainable.
Reported by Carol Themm, SI UN Representative to New York.
Information taken from speech made by
Christian Holmes, Global Water Coordinator. US Agency for International Development.