A World Water Day 2012 blog post by Charlene O’Connor, Administrative Services Manager, Eastover, S.C. & Augusta G.A., USA
“Never before has man had such capacity to control his own environment, to end thirst and hunger, to conquer poverty and disease, to banish illiteracy and massive human misery. We have the power to make this the best generation of mankind in the history of the world – or to make it the last.”
– John Fitzgerald Kennedy, before the UN General Assembly
This was said almost 48 years ago (Sept. 20, 1963). Food production at the turn of the 20th century has more than doubled compared to the beginning of the 1960’s.
Yet today, 850 million people of the world’s population are undernourished. Water shortages are rampant, clean water is considered a luxury. Those of us who have it, don’t think twice of those who don’t. Chronic hunger does not just affect third world nations. For example, in 2010, 48.8 million Americans lived in food insecure households, 32.6 million adults and 16.2 million children. This is not acceptable!
But what can I do to help? I am only one person. How can I help cure world hunger, ensure that there is enough clean water for all?
Well, I can drink that entire cup of coffee I poured, rather than throw half down the drain. I can buy and cook only what my family will eat (yes that includes ensuring that the leftovers are eaten and not thrown in the trash bin). How much water can I save? Well, it takes:
- 140 liters for one cup of coffee
- 2,400 liters to produce one hamburger
- 40 liters to produce one slice of bread
- 200 liters for one glass of milk
So in just one day, if I don’t discard any of the above, I can save 2,780 liters of water (over 734 gallons). Unbelievable isn’t it? Think about how much water I can save if I do this 365 days a year? I can give to my local food bank. It needn’t cost me much. So many grocery chains offer “buy one get one free” deals. Why not give that free can of vegetables, free loaf of bread, and free package of cookies?
We can all do our part; it doesn’t have to be huge. We can take it one “footprint” at a time. So that 48 years from now, our descendants can say that yes, the previous generation “had the power to end thirst and hunger….” and they used that power to succeed together! Now what can we do?
Charlene O’Connor
International World Water Day is held annually on March 22 as a means of focusing attention on the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources. In 2012, the theme is Water and Food Security and it is coordinated by FAO on behalf of UN-Water.