This is THE most important environmental issue we will face in this century. It is good to see this to get the word out internationally about how crucial it is for people to have safe drinking water in our world. One out of every six human beings on this planet does not have access to potable water, and that number will increase the longer we continue business as usual. Water is being wasted and polluted at a staggering amount. Children are dying daily due to dysentary and other diseases that are PREVENTABLE due to the pollution of their only source of water.
We are taking the precious lifeblood of our Earth and turning it into a toxic elixir that is not only killing humans but other species, and overconsuming to the point that our children will be left with a very dry planet that will lead to economic, social and environmental catastrophies besides the wars waged for what would be left of this precious resource. People must be made to see what they take for granted in order for them to save it. I applaud the UN for this, and hope it brings awareness to more peope around the world to save the lives of those who would otherwise perish out of ignorance and neglect. And to the runners: You are heroes. Thank you.
Water is life.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070602/ap_on_en_mo/people_hilary_swank;_ylt=AizJV3TOrvVNyd3JJdIaj1LMWM0FSwank kicks off round-the-world run
By SARAH DiLORENZO, Associated Press Writer
2 hours, 8 minutes ago
UNITED NATIONS - Hilary Swank kicked off a round-the-world run Friday to raise awareness of the world's 1.1 billion people who lack access to clean drinking water.
As part of the Blue Planet Run, 20 runners will log 15,200 miles over 95 days. Each participant will run 10 miles at a time.
Just before the first runner left the U.N. lawn to set out for Boston, the two-time Academy Award winner said she had taken the "ordinary miracle" of clean drinking water "for granted far too many times."
"Making safe drinking water available is everyone's problem, and it's a problem it will take everyone to solve," she said.
snip
The runners will cross 16 countries, starting in the U.S. and flying to Ireland, then ferrying to England and France. From France, they will cross Europe and Asia on land, eventually flying from Beijing to Japan before heading back to the United States.