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With two billion people living in water-stressed regions, one billion living without a safe supply of drinking water, and supplies steadily dwindling around the world, the race to either guarantee or prevent the privatization of the precious resource has been intensifying in recent years.
Yet countries with relatively reliable water supplies—both in quantity and quality—have worked more toward privatizing other countries' water resources than ensuring better access to them, and recognizing water as a human right would be antithetical to that process. But a vote at the UN tomorrow may finally, after years of pressure from activists and developing countries, do just that.
Maude Barlow, a world-renowned water activist, is optimistic that the resolution—sponsored by 32 countries—will pass, but she is concerned that the most powerful nations will either not support it, or will push to allow water to continue to be bought and sold as a commodity. The Toronto Star quotes Barlow:
“My fear is that the world is going to be divided into North and South — developed and developing nations — and that’s a disaster for the United Nations and for the world,” said Barlow. She was referring to apparent behind-the-scenes opposition by the U.S., Australia, New Zealand and Britain and other European countries, as well as Canada.
She says it is critical to act quickly, and people around the world, including Mikhail Gorbachev, agree. Let's hope the UN does, too.
As Barlow said, “If we don’t make a statement that we don’t want entire populations left behind, what does it say about us? About our humanity?”
More about the world's water crisis:
Why is Water Such a Big Issue? Global Water Challenge Pres. Paul Faeth Sets Us Straight (Part 1)
A World of Reasons to Ditch Bottled Water
Film Review - Blue Gold: World Water Wars
