One of the problems larger than the human being is now facing water scarcity. For centuries the subject of the vital liquid has formed the basis of the survival of our civilization, but today has become more important than ever. We are experiencing extraordinary weather conditions including terrible flooding and, paradoxically, abnormally severe drought periods. And I mean not only Mexico but the entire planet.
We Want to bring water to areas most in need. We seek solutions to harness the rainwater that falls in huge quantities, flooding and causing terrible damage, as in the recent case of Australia. We have to learn how to capture, store and distribute water that falls from heaven to earth and do not waste it. We here in Morelos could learn from projects and initiatives which are sustainable development in India and China, where precisely they are making efforts to attract large volumes of water falling from the sky.
Learn to control the water is the crucial point. In the Churu district in Rajasthan (India), a system called Akash Ganga (or River of Heaven) channels the rainwater from each house of the people through drainage channels, all interconnected. The piped water system reaches an underground tank. The amount of water used is sufficient for an entire people (equivalent to 10.000 people) for one year, which is an impressive achievement given that suffered terribly by the lack of clean water for domestic use. This project is attracting worldwide attention because he won a well-deserved awards, including recently the prestigious World Energy Globe Award (www.energyglobe.com).
According to the World Health Organization (www.who.int), "some 2.600 million people - half the developing world - lack even a simple latrine 'improved', and 1.100 billion people lack access any type of improved source of drinking water. " The consequences in terms of serious diseases are devastating and hence the need to find ways to increase sustainable access to drinking water sources. Projects like the one mentioned in India are considered key and will soon be implemented at other sites in order to achieve greater coverage of access to clean water for different villages.
China is another country with major problems of water, including the capital Beijing. The Chinese have been acquiring a reputation for ambitious projects and this new year is not far behind. Its aim is to capture water from the floodplains of the south and snow in the mountains of the west and bring the liquid to Beijing and elsewhere, through a complex system of canals and pipelines. It is a huge project and what the country is very expensive and long term, but necessary to maintain several towns with safe and permanent sources of water. In fact, it tries to rebuild the country, from the point of view of the "plumbing" natural, to use their flood year. Bringing water to areas that previously had agricultural purpose is key, as it is for domestic use. However, I wonder about the environmental ramifications for the rivers, ecosystems, etc. More than anything, this example serves to show the size of the problem of water shortages in China and the steps the government needs to take.
Until such time we do not see water leave the key in the kitchen or bathroom, we are not willing to believe that we need water in Morelos. Every drop we use everyday should be treated with respect and never wasted. There are many campaigns to conserve water, save it and take care of it depends on us and our willingness to serve. Since it is impossible not only be unaware of the effort to conserve water but also do not understand why we must act responsibly. What if it does not rain this year? What are your plans for your home does not flood? There are no guarantees of anything and depends on us taking care of the water as it becomes available. We need to learn from other countries and seek ways to capture rainwater, high or low to fall this year to not waste a drop and to ensure the supply of vital fluid, at least for this year. Personally I'm worried and I think we should all be ...
note published in the Union Morelos on January 25, 2011
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