Introduction

The Global Water Crisis

Think about the world you want to live in—your ideal picture of the world. What does this picture include? What changes would we need to make to achieve this ideal world?

The United Nations (UN), a group of countries from around the world, has developed its own vision and has identified 17 goals to transform our world. They are called the UN Sustainable Development Goals. These goals are a global call to action to promote prosperity while protecting the planet. Every goal affects all of us, and clean water and sanitation is one of these important goals. In fact, the decade between 2018-2028 is called the “Water Action Decade.”

Clean, accessible water for all may also be an important part of the world you imagined. There is enough fresh water on the planet to achieve this goal. However, due to limited economic development or poor infrastructure, millions of people go without clean water each day. This leads to poor sanitation and hygiene, and as a result, many of these people, including children, die every year from diseases.

We are in a global water crisis!

Based on current studies, it is predicted that two billion people will lack access to clean water and proper sanitation by 2050. Right now, 40% of schools around the world do not have access to water, sanitation and hygiene education (WASH in Schools). Imagine a long day at school without these facilities!

These statistics may feel overwhelming, but YOU can take actions today that will make a difference. In this program you will have the opportunity to learn about the global water crisis and take action to identify solutions to preserve and protect local water resources while raising funds to implement a water, sanitation and hygiene education program (WASH) for a partner school. This initiative is part of the UN’s strategy and H2O for Life’s program to improve access to WASH facilities.

To learn more about the state of water near you, and around the world, you will take a journey down the Mississippi River. The journey will begin at Lake Itasca, the primary source of the river, and continue down to the Gulf of Mexico. From there, you will learn how water is connected all across the globe. Along the way, you will explore the important factors affecting water and sanitation and discover ways you can take action to make a difference in your own community and around the world in the global water crisis. Now is the time for YOU to help change the world!

(source: UN: Water Action Decade)


Up Next: Clean Water

Your journey will begin with learning the basic concepts of water resources and access to clean water while exploring the headwaters of the great Mississippi River.