A Book to Solve the World Water Crisis
The Last Drop is an important book. looking at solve the lack of fresh water (most is held up in glaciers, and the rest is often polluted). An environmental journalist meets experts, victims, activists and pioneers to show how we can solve the water crisis, to ensure that everyone on earth (along with our animal friends) have access to fresh clean water.
In South Africa, more than 30,000 people in the agricultural sector have lost their jobs, because there’s no water to irrigate the crops.
Some farmers are cutting the buds off orchard trees because if there’s fruit and no water, it could damage them irreparably. And people from outside Cape Town are donating food for livestock, because there’s a shortage of fodder.
Tim Smedley is an award-winning environmental journalist who has written for many top newspapers. His book Clearing the Air (about the global effects of air pollution) was shortlisted for the Royal Society Science Book Prize. Air pollution kills 19,000 people each day worldwide (more combined than car accidents, malaria, TB and HIV/AIDS).
Ways to Help Provide Clean Water Abroad
Millions of people still drink dirty water every day, which leads to sickness and keeps communities from growing. Simple changes can make a lasting difference.
- Deep wells pull clean water from far below the ground. Hand pumps or solar-powered pumps make it easy to bring water to the surface. They also protect water from germs, dirt, and animal waste. Local training helps families fix and care for the pumps, so water keeps flowing year after year.
- Hipporoller is a simple invention that lets women and children wheel water from wells, rather than walk for miles carrying heavy buckets on their heads (which leads to headaches and weak bones). It’s also quicker, meaning children spend more time in school.
- Portable ceramic or sand filters block out bacteria and dirt. Small filters fit right on a jug or bucket, while larger ones can clean water for a school or whole village.
- Lifestraw is a personal water filter that needs no electricity, and purifies unsafe water. Some people say this should not be used to ‘make people drink dirty water’, but it’s quick and affordable to save lives, while people wait for others to build wells.
- Rainwater harvesting can capture rain through tanks, gutters and simple pipes, to make the most of each downpour. Stored rainwater helps during dry months, and basic filters or boiling can make it safe to drink. Natural springs can provide clean water, with proper covers.
- Piped water systems can carry water over hills or long distances. Taps in the village save time and effort. No need to walk for hours each day just to collect water.
- Clean toilets stop germs from spreading. Buy toilet paper from Who Gives a Crap? (made from recycled paper, 50% of profits help bring clean sanitation to communities abroad).
- Also read about Brewgooder (vegan beer that funds clean water projects). And ONE Water (a canned water brand that also funds clean water projects – sold in Coop supermarkets).
