Water is a Social Justice Issue?
Posted in Books and tagged with Challenges, Social Justice on 02/17/2010 08:00 am by JennThis month for the 2010 Social Justice Challenge participants are encouraged to look at water as a social justice issue. Below are my answers to some questions posted on the challenge site. It does give pause for thought, though. It is supposed to be a vast resource, but concerns are being raised that water may not be available for all.
What is the first thought that comes to your mind when you think of Water as a social justice issue?
To be honest, I freak out a bit. The thought of not having access to, or being able to afford clean water is terrifying to me. Clean water is not only necessary for the existence of all living things, it is incredibly preventative. I know people who (and I have done myself once) go and sit in mineral water for its restorative effects. Some people go and lounge in hot mineral springs that exist naturally by areas of volcanic activity. Areas without access to clean water have exponentially higher mortality rates because of disease.
What, if any, exposure have you personally had to a water shortage?
My experience is not with a shortage, per say, but water inaccessibility. My grandpa used to live on a farm and all of his tap water came from a well. When I was little, we would go over to his house and drink water right from the tap. My Mom still swears it made the best tea ever. We used to put in gallon jugs and bring it back to the city with us. By the time he sold the farm, the water right out of the tap was making everyone sick. One glass would have you running to the bathroom for days.
What potential action steps can you think of that relate to this month’s theme of Water?
Besides the “obvious” of using less water at home, there are other actions you can take to reduce water consumption. Last month I wrote about religious persecution and a lot of the feedback was “where can I start? How can I help?” This month I am better prepared. Tomorrow I will post a list of ways our individual actions can help conserve water on an individual and global level.
Why do you think water is a social justice issue?
February 17th, 2010 at 1:12 pm
Since we live nearly in the desert, we deal with droughts and water restrictions every summer. We’re lucky enough to live close enough to the city limits to have water, but there’s a lot of rural folks whose wells dry up and they have to make do in 105 degree heat without water. The thought of not being able to cook or shower or just brush your teeth without buying jugs and jugs of water boggles my mind.
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