In Laudato Si’, Pope Francis affirms that “access to safe drinkable water is a basic and universal human right, since it is essential to human survival and, as such, is a condition for the exercise of other human rights (LS #30). Pope Francis goes on to say “Our world has a grave social debt towards the poor who lack access to drinking water, because they are denied the right to a life consistent with their inalienable dignity. This debt can be paid partly by an increase in funding to provide clean water and sanitary services among the poor.” (LS #30)
Here are just a few water facts to think about. Worldwide, two billion people live without access to safe water. Of all the water in the world, only 0.3% is available for human consumption. A clean, sustainable supply of water is vital for life. What habits can I develop to value and share water? I can turn the water off when brushing my teeth and lathering my hands; I can toss water from washing vegetables into the garden; I can consciously shorten time in the shower; I can run only full dishwasher and clothes washer loads. I can support organizations that provide safe water. It takes 2,500 gallons of water to produce one pound of hamburger. This amount of water could be used to grow more than 50 pounds of fruits and vegetables. Beef is the most water intensive meat; I can add variety and conserve water by eating more chicken, fish, and pork. Drinking from reusable water bottles encourages less water waste, less water used in production of disposable bottles and there is less environmental pollution. Reusable water bottles make great gifts! I can advocate with local and state authorities for protection of our Chesapeake Bay watershed, and I can do my individual part by ensuring that runoff from my property does not carry chemicals into the storm water system. What can you do to be a better steward of the gift of water?
Explore UN World Water Day at https://www.un.org/en/observances/waterday, and take a walk in an April shower!
Here are just a few water facts to think about. Worldwide, two billion people live without access to safe water. Of all the water in the world, only 0.3% is available for human consumption. A clean, sustainable supply of water is vital for life. What habits can I develop to value and share water? I can turn the water off when brushing my teeth and lathering my hands; I can toss water from washing vegetables into the garden; I can consciously shorten time in the shower; I can run only full dishwasher and clothes washer loads. I can support organizations that provide safe water. It takes 2,500 gallons of water to produce one pound of hamburger. This amount of water could be used to grow more than 50 pounds of fruits and vegetables. Beef is the most water intensive meat; I can add variety and conserve water by eating more chicken, fish, and pork. Drinking from reusable water bottles encourages less water waste, less water used in production of disposable bottles and there is less environmental pollution. Reusable water bottles make great gifts! I can advocate with local and state authorities for protection of our Chesapeake Bay watershed, and I can do my individual part by ensuring that runoff from my property does not carry chemicals into the storm water system. What can you do to be a better steward of the gift of water?
Explore UN World Water Day at https://www.un.org/en/observances/waterday, and take a walk in an April shower!