_edited.png)
Life starts with water. More than 60% of the human body is made of water. Yet almost half of the people on earth do not have access to this basic necessity. Around 2.2 billion people lack access to safe drinking water and 4.2 billion people lack safely managed sanitation services (WHO). This has severe consequences on public health, food security, and economic development, particularly in marginalized communities. Climate change further intensifies the water crisis, with increased frequency and severity of droughts, floods, and other water-related disasters (NASA).
An estimated 43,000 people perished in Somalia last year due to the severe drought. One in five people in Bangladesh is poisoned by arsenic in their drinking water. The desalination plants against the rising sea levels in the Middle East can cause environmental and health problems. Flash floods destroyed homes and displaced more than 10,000 people in Brazil and Bolivia.
Addressing the water crisis is essential for achieving sustainable development, as it impacts multiple dimensions of human well-being, including health, livelihoods, and ecosystems. It requires collaborative efforts, innovative solutions, and policy interventions to ensure access to clean water and sanitation for all, protect water resources, and promote sustainable water management practices.
Yesterday, nine teams from 20+ countries wrapped their projects in the AquaAlliance Online Forum competition. They examined the underlying issues around the global water crisis and its impacts on society. They analyzed and proposed solutions to address water-related challenges in their assigned country. From national policy reviews to consumer behavior examinations, students recommended innovative products, services and policies to solve the water challenges in their assigned county to encourage actions before it is too late.
Please click on VOTE to review each team's ideas and proposals in the People's Choice Award category. The voting will close on Friday, August 25th, at noon ET. Thank you for your support and acknowledgment on behalf of all the teen changemakers. Successful students earn leadership and internship training opportunities. Join us in the nex Forum to make friends across borders and make positive changes around the world in the Green Jobs in the Green Economy Online Forum.
