That Just Happened!

Shiva, Vandana. Water Wars: Privitization, Pollution, and Profit.  South End Press. 2002.

In Water Wars,  Vandana Shiva uses her remarkable knowledge of science and society to analyze the historical erosion of communal water rights.  Examining the international water trade, damming, mining, and aquafarming, Shiva exposes the destruction of the earth and the disenfranchisement of the world’s poor as they are stripped of their right to a precious common good.

Shiva reveals how many of the most important conflicts of our time, most often camouflaged as ethnic wars or religious wars, such as the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, are in fact conflicts over scarce but vital natural resources.

Water Wars  celebrates the spiritual and traditional role water has played in communities throughout history, and warns that water privatization threatens cultures and livelihoods worldwide.

 Back Cover

This book reads like a textbook.  I felt like I was in university again reading something I had to for class.  Although I think Shiva made some great points, there were so many facts and figures and annotations in the book, I felt it was a little dry.  There was no conversational tone to this book, it was more just a presentation of facts.  I did like how different aspects of the crisis were discussed:  from agriculture purposes to religious aspects of the water crisis.  I also liked how each chapter was self-contained and had it’s own footnote section at the end.

I would recommend this book if you were writing a paper for school, or really liked reading facts & figures.  It probably is not suitable for general interest in the topic.

I read this towards the 2010 Social Justice Challenge.

Yesterday I answered some questions based on the 2010 Social Justice Challenge I am participating in.  Here is the list I promised you on Ways to Conserve Water.

*Using Less.  D’uh!  Using less water means more for later.  Turn off the water when brushing your teeth, while shampooing your hair, when washing the dishes (only if you have a double sink). 

*Get Energy Efficient.  No, you don’t have to go out and get new, expensive washer/dryer righthissecond, but when replacing your old one look for energy ratings and energy efficient models.  Not only will that help you to use less water when doing laundry, you will save on your water bill.  Many towns/cities/states/provinces  have programs to encourage you to get rid of your old stuff by recycling , or offering money back at tax time. Toilets can also be more water-efficient by using less water when you flush.  You can do this manually by putting a brick in your tank, or you can buy a toilet that has two flushing options (I’m pretty sure you can guess for what).

*Shop Locally.  When you buy local and organic you are helping to save water.  Food that has been processed and packaged at factories uses tonnes more water.  Packaging something like peaches can use up to 4,800 gallons per ton (Rogers, Peter. America’s Water: Federal Roles and Responsibilities.) whereas the fruit grown locally uses the water for growing the product only. Factories use water for cleaning, sealing, cooling, and cooking.

*Start Drinking Your Tap Water.  Cities must ensure that tap water is fit for consumption, so unless you live next to a waste facility, or are the town from Erin Brockovich, you should be good to go.  So, you have a Brita Filter instead of using water bottles?  So what?  That filter needs to be discarded every month or two (depending on use) and it cannot be recycled.  Drinking right from your tap eliminates the waste of the filter and packaging.

*Raise Awareness.  You don’t have to go crusading for water rights, but start mentioning ways you have cut down on water consumption.  Again, this doesn’t have to be directly.  Ask your friend to accompany you to the farmer’s market; or mention how much you are saving on your bills and the rebate you got for switching appliances. 

*Donate to Charity.  There are many charities out there that work with impoverished communities to help them set up infrastructure and agriculture to help them survive.  As we know, water is necessary for farming and disease prevention.  thewaterproject.org  and watercan.com are two charities that strive to bring clean water to poor communities.  (Please do more research into the organization you are donating to.  These are just two examples I got when searching Google, not charities I endorse).

How do you conserve water?

This 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?