Eve's Ale: February 2011

Monday, February 28, 2011

Good for the Vatcian

Vatican official says cheap access to water a right for all! Read more here.

Water demand will 'outstrip supply by 40% within 20 years

The Daily Mail reports, "water demand will 'outstrip supply by 40% within 20 years' due to climate change and population growth". Read more here.

Sunday, February 20, 2011

California Water and Great Lakes Shortages

I am staying in a nice hotel in San Jose where the tap water comes out of the tap merkey and tastes a little toxic. It is ironic to me that I can fly from Barranquilla, Colombia to Anywhere, USA and find tap water that appears to be lower in quality (who knows what kind of particulate matter could be found in each).

Another interesting piece? A study by the U.S. Geological Survey shows there could be future water shortages in the Great Lakes area if communities don't make long term water plans. How can this even be a possibility in a place that hold one fifth of the world's fresh water supply?

The facetious name given to water as early as 1643 was Adam’s Ale. This alluded to the “simplicity and purity of life in the biblical Eden before the fall” (The Phrase Finder) when Adam and Eve had nothing to drink but water. For millions of women and girls worldwide the daily quest to find clean water is not simple, pure or funny- it is heartbreaking. In a recent article, Tina Rosenberg (2010, p.102) tells the story of Aylito Binayo’s life of too little water. She is one of the millions of women and girls worldwide who spends the majority of their day, and the majority of their lives, hauling water long distances. I chose to name this project Eve’s Ale to honor these women, if only in a small way.