"Right now, almost a billion people on the planet don't have access to clean, safe drinking water. That's one in eight of us who are subject to preventable disease and even death because of something many of us take for granted."
Although I have an issue with the precision of their statement (what exactly constitutes clean, safe drinking water? and how close to one billion is "almost?"), the words they say did have a deep impact on me. Water is something most of us in the United States take for granted. The fact that we have polemic arguments as to the safety of tap water and the advantages of filtered water or the fact that we contribute to the growing pollution of our planet by constantly touting and praising the virtues of bottled water really seem quite trite in comparison. I mean, 1 of 8 worry about having enough to drink (which doesn't even begin the conversation in terms of eating, clothing, housing, etc.).
However, I don't expect this "blog action day" to change the habits of 99% of those involved. We as a people, as a developed society, are too accustomed to the comforts that our place in life places in front of us. And who can really blame us for what we take for granted? Not to detract from the issue of water (at least not too much), but the majority of people and the vast majority of the world really looks to benefit themselves first.
Disappointing I know.
But hopefully, through raising the issue of water on blog action day, which is actually on Friday the 15th (2010.10.15), we can at least come to terms with the harsh realities that some human beings on this world have to deal with on a daily basis. Hopefully, this realization and the self-reflection that may or may not follow, can lead to greater things.
Idealistically, planning a blog action day on water issues would catalyze the developed (and developing) states to action and alleviate the thirst of almost one billion people. As a realist/pragmatist, I hope that it can accomplish at least a bit of its goal as well as start the churning of self-reflection and self-realization for some people...a process that may lead to a better outlook for our children and the world.
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