No, it’s not the new black, or the new green or even the blue gold. Water should, if it is not already, be your new project. The hot days will be coming before we realize it and many states will be – once again – asking their constituents to reduce their water consumption. Well, can you think of 5 critical issues the world is facing because of our lack of access to drinkable water? Here are mine:

1- Health: 1/2 of the world’s illnesses are caused by water-borne pathogens (80% in developing countries). 1 out of every 4 deaths under the age of 5 worldwide is due to a water-related disease. Read: Water Project

2- Armed conflicts: If today, most conflicts over water are dealt with peacefully, many believe nations will fight for water access as they do for gold or oil.  U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said “The consequences for humanity are grave. Water scarcity threatens economic and social gains and is a potent fuel for wars and conflict.” Read: The Nation and Armed Conflicts over Water

3- Resources: 2 out of 3 persons will live under water stress condition by 2025. Fresh water represents only 3% of the water present on Earth.

4- Ecosystems: From the Rainforest to our local water streams, life depends on water cycle. Deforestation has a dramatic impact on rain falls and temperature while pollution and poor water management directly affect our access to water and the wildlife it depends on.

5- Nutrition: It takes an average of about 1,000 cubic meters of water to grow enough food to feed one person for one year.

See below for more facts/ issues

Huffington Post has a page to help you get involved, mostly through charities’ donation programs. If you want to participate directly to a water project or add your skills and enthusiasm to a fast growing innovator driven community, check Ashoka and ImagineH2O . Or follow the Blue Planet Expedition.

At home, you can:

1- conserve water using a bucket and watering your lawn/ plants in the early morning or evening.

2- reduce water pollution by using non-toxic household and personal care products, and avoid using synthetic herbicides and pesticides in your garden.

3- use a water filter to reduce your exposure to water borne diseases and contaminants.

Watch Annie Leonard’s story of water bottled :

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