In reviewing the major news stories about water and environmentalism in 2010, I ran across one of the most disturbing statistics about the water crisis I have ever read. Get ready…

HALF OF CHINA’S WATER IS TOO POLLUTED TO DRINK
AND ¼ OF IT IS ENTIRELY UNUSABLE, even for industry

Wrap your head around that for a second.

Actual water samples collected from Chinese urban rivers and lakes.

The most populous country on the planet, making up nearly 20% of the world’s population, has undergone an economic makeover of unprecedented proportions in just a few decades. But the environment has all too often been a victim of China’s aggressive development. Case in point- 50% of the water is undrinkable (source: MEP). Not only is there a dangerous shortage of water, what is left is polluted and sometimes deadly.

Most experts will point the blame toward heavy industry for the sorry state of China’s natural resources. The outpouring of pollution from chemical, pharmaceutical, and paper plants paired with pesticide and fertilizer runoff from farms creates a water crisis that cannot be ignored.
Without stronger government controls on industrial and agricultural pollution and without significant investment in a sustainable sewage system, countless millions will suffer from the effects of poor water quality.

Once again, the latest in water news:

Terrible flooding in Machu Picchu, Peru this week has left thousands of tourists stranded.

American helicopters have been airlifting citizens out of danger, but what will happen to Peruvian locals who are now homeless and vulnerable to the elements?

This video outlines the efforts made by the Chinese government to curb the effects of a drought that is effecting three million people in the southwest region.

Newport, Rhode Island, a popular tourist destination, suffers the same problems as many other old cities– water pollution caused by deteriorating sewage systems and urban storm runoff. Watch the video here.

Happy Holidays! Here are some of the latest news stories about water:

What the United States government is and isn’t doing about domestic water pollution.

A look back at the tsunami that hit south-east Asia on December 26, 2004. The effects, the progress, and the future.

“A burst of significant announcements in recent weeks reflects an expanded government effort to deal with pharmaceuticals as environmental pollutants.”

New technology in Australia: Making men’s bathrooms cleaner, dryer, and more efficient. *I really recommend this one.* The product is called The Desert. Essentially, it’s a cube that you put at the base of a urinal which absorbs liquid waste without you having to flush, thus reducing water usage by 98%. It also eliminates odors and reduces the amount of bacteria (the kind that originate from fecal matter) which cover surfaces in restrooms.

According to Corporate Accountability International, states in the Northeast have spent between $228,874 and $527,107 a year on bottled water. Why are governments spending taxpayer dollars on unnecessary items in times of financial hardship?

By the way, this article is an interesting add-on to my last post called “Gravity is a theory too”

As a native Californian, I am a self-proclaimed fruit snob. I have always been spoiled by an abundance of fresh berries and peaches year round. But it’s only now that I’m realizing the true costs of eating cheap produce. When I read horror stories about the chemical runoff in agricultural communities leaching into drinking water, I can’t help feeling nauseated. The Environmental Protection Agency proclaims that the use of pesticides has more than doubled since 1990. Pesticides and other chemicals used in food production have been proven to cause life-threatening diseases, certain kinds of cancer, infertility, and birth defects.

The New York Times published a great exposé on the toxics in our water recently, highlighting cases along the Farm Belt where some people have gotten violently ill after farmers poured liquid animal feces onto crops and the runoff seeped into well water. As shocking as it is that people in one of the richest nations on earth are drinking water polluted with animal excrement in this day and age, I realize that I’m not exactly doing anything constructive by sitting around reading horror stories in the media. So here are some ideas about how to stop harmful pesticides from entering our bodies, our homes, our communities, and our food.

Small things…

Grow your own vegetables, even if you live in a city.

Eat organic! Organic farmers do not use pesticides which could otherwise affect our water systems. Not only are you supporting non-polluters, but you are making a healthier choice to not ingest harmful chemicals into your own body. This is an every day, small scale way to protect your individual health as well as the health of the environment.

And here’s a list of ten more things you can do to reduce water pollution: What can I do?

Big things…

Pressure the government to enforce water pollution laws. In its last few hours in power, the Bush Administration deregulated 1.5 million tons of toxic waste, causing a major set back in previous environmental protection efforts. Click this link to make your voice heard about water pollution: petition.

I am not idealistic enough to think that banning non-organic farming all together is a good idea. It would be practically impossible to feed America if we relied entirely on organic means of food production. Instead I am proposing that the government encourage a decrease in chemical usage. As it is, 60-80% of chemicals are used just to make our fruits prettier, according to Time Magazine. I would take a bruised pear over polluted water any day. So what if my apples aren’t Snow White waxy? If that means fewer children suffering from health problems caused by toxins in the environment then I’m all for it.

Pressure the government to stop accepting contributions from corporate giants like Monsanto –one of the worst corporate citizens out there—which sacrifice environmental health for high efficiency.