For my first blog, I wanted to address the general concept that we're all aware of as we delve into this multi-faceted course: the gross disproportionality of resources in the world. It has always boggled my mind that every day, I have access to so many things that SO many people the world over need desparately, and that I unintentionally take for granted, just by virtue of where I am in the world, and to whom I happened to be born. Chief among these resources is one of the most basic resources necessary for life: water. I came across the following online article, about a Houston non-profit that is dedicated to providing clean drinking water for third-world countries:
http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/spring/news/article_a3eaa49c-7944-5232-80d6-8b8c21730bd7.html
Some startling facts from the article:
1) Every DAY, water-related illnesses claim the lives of 5,000 children under the age of 5.
2) Half of the world's hospital beds are occupied by people suffering from water-realted illnesses.
3) 90 percent of the world's diseases are caused by unsafe drinking water, inadequate sanitation, and poor hygeine.
I know you can all read the article yourselves, but essentially, the H2O Project is a direct example of the positive social and economic impact that only ONE organization can have when they utilize their resources and social capital towards bettering a situation. Imagine if one other non-profit organization in each of the remaining 49 states dedicated themselves specifically to eradicating dirty, unsafe drinking water... Our Roseland reading for this week talks about the idea of sustainable development as" a mobilizing of citizens and their governments towards strengthening all forms of community captial" (pg. 27). Whether that involves affecting change in your own community's backyard, or the community backyard across the globe, sustainable development involves real people, with real visions of change, coming together to improve existing conditions for the greater good of the world's population.
Love your post. Concise but full of good info! I also appreciated the summary of your link- helps when there is a lot to read in an evening.
ReplyDeleteI always think to myself, if I only had $1 million dollars to put towards one of my passions...but then again what I've found in my life is that if you are truly passionate about something and willing to give your life and heart to it...the money will come. For me the problem is, determining which passion to pursue. :-)
Thanks for the post!
I too am always thinking about the many things I find "necessary" in my life and feel rather guilty that they would be considered a luxury elsewhere. I love organizations like the one you wrote about, but I am also struck by a rather cynical thought: will saving lives in poor countries only produce more problems? I know it is a rather pessimistic way of looking at things, but more people living because of a clean water program, will mean more strain on food supply, greater deforestation to make way for more farms and housing, more consumption of resources, and more pollution. Of course I want everyone to have access to clean water and everything else needed for a happy and healthy life, but I am at a loss at where the best place is to start without setting off a negative chain reaction. Perhaps I have a case of eco-despair. :)
ReplyDeleteSince I am from Bloomington, my initial reaction is "what are some groups in my own city that have similar projects?" I think there are some very noteworthy groups in Bloomington (and although they do not necessarily touch on environmental issues, they do contribute to the sustainable development of Bloomington). For instance, Bloomington houses the Middle Way House which provides services to women and children who are victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Other groups in Bloomington such as Renovo provides a hot lunch to the homeless on Sundays when the Community Kitchen does not operate.
ReplyDeleteI think it's amazing how individuals/a community can come together to serve and provide for those less fortunate.
test
ReplyDelete