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| Picture Credit: water1st.org |
Over 70% of the earth's surface is covered by water - a vital life-sustaining substance for all of the world's life forms. Known as the "universal solvent," water is fundamental to food production and countless other industrial and economic activities, and safe drinking water is essential for human survival. Access to water is therefore a critical issue for all populations around the world.
In July 2010, the UN General Assembly declared access to clean water and sanitation a basic human right. However some have speculated that by 2025, more than half of the global population will be water insecure, and by 2030 water demand will exceed supply by 50% in some developing nations. At the 2000 Millennium Development Goals summit, countries agreed to the goal of halving the number of people who do not have access to safe drinking water by 2015. Yet, even if this ambitious target is met, an estimated half-billion of the world's poorest people will still be without access to safe water, and over a billion will lack adequate sanitation.
Currently water shortage and poor sanitation lead to approximately five million deaths each year. And water insecurity and competition over water resources have the potential to disrupt economic stability and lead to water disputes and violent conflict. Water security is at further risk, in many areas, from global climate change and rapid population growth.
