CELEBRATE WORLD WATER DAY 2013

HOW WATER SHORTAGES
AFFECT WOMEN, KIDS, HUNGER

www.huffingtonpost.com - The global water crisis isn't just about simple supply and demand - it's an issue related to women's rights, global development and preventable deaths. As the world population swells to over 7 billion people, and the demand for fresh water continues to grow with it, global leaders have called for greater innovation, advocacy and solutions, which is why this year’s World Water Day has been dedicated to the theme of “cooperation.” UN Deputy Chief Jan Eliasson said improving access to water would reduce maternal health issues, child mortality and overall poverty, the AP reported. "If we do water and sanitation right, we can have a great improvement on other goals," he said. 
As climate change and political and social unrest take their toll on fresh water supplies, 783 million people lack access to clean or relatively safe water and 37 % of the world's population doesn't have access to toilets, a fact that the UN points to as a further inequity.

"Access to sanitation facilities around the world, more than any other service, provides a window into the vast difference between the ‘haves’ and the ‘have-nots." Catarina de Albuquerque, UN Special Rapporteur on the human right to safe drinking water and sanitation, said in a press release. In Africa alone, women and children spend 40 billion hours annually collecting water. While taking on this backbreaking effort, they're also subjected to harassment and sexual assault along the way in unprotected areas. Water scarcity could cause major food shortages in the foreseeable future, experts have warned. 
Earlier this year, Nestle CEO Paul Bulcke said we're using more than our sustainable supply and that this overuse of fresh water is a serious risk, The Guardian reported: "It is anticipated that there will be up to 30 % shortfalls in global cereal production by 2030 due to water scarcity," he said.

Worldwide water crisis is a sanitation issue. The U.N. estimates that more than one in six people worldwide do not have access to 20-50 liters (5-13 gallons) of safe freshwater a day to ensure their basic needs for drinking, cooking, cleaning and personal hygiene. Besides, diarrhea is the second biggest killer of kids globally - an issue that is completely preventable. Lack of clean water is the primary reason why more than 3,000 children under 5 years of age die every day from diarrhea and other water-related illnesses, the UN reports. Unfortunately, if we do not work together and change our attitude, potable drinking water and access to sanitation crises will increase. 

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US? 

Nature is one of the manifestations of God; if we mistreat the environment, if we live irresponsibly, in any moment we will be sucked into an abyss. ... The biological well-being of our earth, and the future of mankind are being ruined by the materialistic vision of society. The rivers are contaminated by technological industry and plant animal agro-industry. All of a sudden water will become more precious than gold. What use will our gold be to us if we don’t have water? Who will drink a glass of liquid gold? The waters of the Earth are the veins of the Lord. We should proceed with absolute compassion and responsibility, because by not taking care of other living beings, our present planet will become a complete desert. Polluted waters cause the leukemia of the ecosystem. 

House of Wisdom - Casa de la Sabiduría :

“Eco conscience - Recommendations”
http://www.houseofwisdom.org/
http://www.houseofwisdom.org/english/index.html
http://www.houseofwisdom.org/english/advices_eco_conscience.htm

Published by dasavatara das - "Vedic Views on World News"
http://www.vedicviews-worldnews.blogspot.com.ar/