In developing nations, more than 4,000 children die each day from preventable conditions like diarrhea, due to unsafe drinking water. [ I ] A person in the United States will (on average) use more than 40 gallons of water to take just one bath. Yet someone living in a developing country may have access to only eight gallons of water or less for each day. [ II ] Seventy percent of industrial waste and eighty percent of all waste is dumped untreated into waters polluting the water supply making it unusable in any form.[ III ]
The stark differences between having access and having rights to safe drinking water globally are startling enough to inspire much needed change – a change that can empower communities, protect local watersheds, and help make clean water accessible to everyone, everywhere. Aveda has made steps toward achieving this change.
We are pleased to announce that the Aveda Earth Month 2011 program has exceeded our goal of raising $4 million for global and local clean water projects this year; bringing us to a cumulative total of over $22 million raised since 1999, and $16 million for our clean water initiatives.
THANK YOU, WATER WARRIORS!
Reaching this goal means that over the last 5 years we have touched the lives of tens of thousands of families worldwide by helping Global Greengrants fund water projects like these: converting 55,000 acres of land to sustainable agriculture; protecting or improving more than 550,000 people’s access to clean water; supporting 16,000 women activists for clean water in their communities; training 3,000 women in community environmental management; enabling 350 communities to take action against toxic industrial pollution, and hundreds of other similar projects that have helped protect water rights and water access around the world including those listed below:
- 55,000 acres converted to sustainable agriculture
- 350 communities taking action against toxic pollution
- 26,000 people benefitting from wells and water infrastructure
Through our regional water partners we also have helped:
- Protect the water quality of the Mississippi, Columbia, and Potomac Rivers for people and wildlife.
- Develop plans for ecological restoration of Florida’s Everglades.
- Promote water conservation programs in the Rocky Mountain region.
- Protect the freshwater resources and cleaning up toxic contaminants in the Great Lakes.
- Protect and enhancing water quality of beaches in California and New Jersey.
- Support coastal communities impacted by the Gulf Oil Spill, and advocating for effective and thorough clean-up.
- Build water systems and sanitation facilities in East Africa.
- Develop community-based water systems in Madagascar and India.
- Build rain-saving water cellars and providing access to drinking water in rural villages in Northwest China.
- Support the construction of water systems in Nepal and Ethiopia.
YOU CAN STILL HELP
There are many simple actions you can take to protect clean water; here are a few of our favorites:
Runoff from conventional farming contains nutrients and pesticides that pollute the fresh water supplies into which they empty; this in many places is the largest source of water pollution. Organic farming is healthier for our water supply.[ IV ]
Conserve Electricity
Every kilowatt-hour (kWh) of electricity that we use takes about 2 gallons of fresh water to make. [ V ] Conserving electricity-and opting for renewable energy saves water.
Go Meatless More Often
It takes up to 5,000 gallons of water to produce one pound of meat.[ VI ] Enjoy a veggie meal that uses less water to produce.
Connect with your local Earth Month Clean Water Partner all year long
Interested in learning more about clean water issues in your area? Find your local Earth Month Partner organization and stay involved all year long!
(Photo courtesy of Global Greengrants Fund)
[ I ] UNICEF and WHO 2008
[ III ] UN Environment Programme, 2009