On World Water Day: Water and Sanitation Receiving High Level Political Attention
Posted March 18, 2010 in Health and the Environment, U.S. Law and Policy
Monday, March 22nd 2010 is recognized by the United Nations as World Water Day, a time to raise awareness of the global water crisis and focus on the solutions. The challenge is tremendous, almost 900 million people lack safe drinking water and 2.6 billion people lack adequate sanitation (or safe toilets). NRDC has fought for clean water for decades and I am happy to report that my colleagues are writing this week about water’s intersection with so many environmental and health issues.
The Obama Administration has recognized the importance of the issue and is reaching out with key events to demonstrate its commitment to global water. I just finished a call this morning with Under Secretary of State Maria Otero about water policy during which she laid out key priorities for U.S. water activities around the world.
Under Secretary Otero announced that on World Water Day, Secretary Clinton will reinforce the U.S. commitment to global water – focusing on increased access to safe water and sanitation and improving the efficiency and management of water resources. Otero said they are working toward long-term sustainable solutions to prevent water from becoming a growing source of conflict and tension. The Under Secretary’s recognition of the role of watershed management is important to highlight, and a key part of the Paul Simon Water for the Poor Report. Notably the Obama Administration plans to integrate their food security and global health initiatives into U.S. water policy, through a comprehensive approach to development and water.
Otero stated:
Water is essential to all that we do, we can’t do without it and its irreplaceable.
Lack of clean water and sanitation is the second leading cause of death of children under five around the world. We need to use water more effectively and conserve water. As people around the world are facing the impacts of climate change especially the increases of floods and droughts – we know that managing water wisely is more critical.
These comments are very welcome from the Administration, but we also need Congress to act. That is why NRDC is calling upon Congress to increase funding for water and sanitation programming and we are working with over 30 organizations to raise awareness about the water and sanitation crisis.
In Washington DC on Tuesday March 23, 2010 you can make a difference by taking action on Capitol Hill for those who lack water and sanitation.
Two ways to get involved:
- Sign up for advocacy day on the hill by clicking on the link and signing up-you can participate in meetings with Members of Congress and their staff throughout the day. This event begins at 9:00 a.m. with activities lasting throughout the day, including participation in the World’s Longest Toilet Queue.
- If you’ve only got one hour: Meet us at Upper Senate Park for a rally on the hill. Students, educators and politicians will gather to form a line at Upper Senate Park to make the 'World’s Longest Toilet Queue'. Our ‘Queue’ is part of a global mobilization to demonstrate solidarity with those who have no clean water or safe sanitation and show Congress that they must increase resources to solve the global water and sanitation crisis.
The line forms at exactly 1:30 and will be completed by 1:45!
Let’s show the Administration and Congress that the time is now to confront the global water crisis and win!
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Comments
Don Mitchel — Mar 22 2010 11:27 AM
It is to bad that this administration really dose not care about the human virus and pathogens in ballast water. Saddly the commander and chief, has only shown a interest in a twenty, plus year plan by the military. A report was just created for the 111th congress suggesting they may again address ballast water with a national policy. The report suggest that the cost of foreign made goods would increase as a results of the need to retrofit ships. This would help create jobs, if a quick time line to provide the protection needed for our waters was created. Inspection and study of these new foriegn technologies must be done to determine saftey, both from short term use and long term use. Saddly the deliberate procrastination by this administration to go green on this issue is allowing the oppertunity for foriegn shipping to gain the edge. This Administration has only shown an interest in a plan that mirrors the International Maritime Organization for ten years, so China a large influential member of the IMO has major influence determining our environmental policy. This is being allowed because of the ponzi scheme set up by previous administrations allowing China to peg their currency value to ours, so at alleged international auctions of treasury notes, that we keep creating, for sale, China can then buy them at attractive prices regardless of the low interest rates, so our politicians can keep offering entitlements and cheap goods in the big box "China outlet stores" that are now our largest employers. This is being done while, continually increaseing our national debt allowing for more economic domination by China. HAPPY WATER DAY!!!