Less Water
In July 2010, the UN General Assembly
recognized the right of every human being to have
access to sufficient water that is safe, acceptable,
affordable and physically accessible.
We rely on clean, plentiful water to survive. Yet we are heading towards a water crisis. Key
water sources are being overdrawn or tainted with pollution. Dirty water has become the
world’s biggest health risk, picking up toxic chemicals, dirt, trash and disease-carrying
organisms as it runs off our roads and roofs into our rivers. Meanwhile changing climate
patterns are increasingly threatening our water sources, with scientists predicting that many of
the most profound and immediate impacts of climate change will relate to water, from more
severe and frequent droughts to unprecedented flooding.
Scarcity. A lack of water to meet daily needs is a reality today for one in three people around
the world. Globally, 780 million people lack access to clean water, and the problem is getting
worse as cities and populations grow.
Pollution. When water from rain and melting snow runs off roofs and roads into our rivers, it
picks up toxic chemicals, dirt, trash and disease-carrying organisms along the way. This, as
well as pollution from factory farms and industrial plants, can contaminate our drinking water.
Spread of Disease. Poor water quality can increase the risk of diarrheal diseases such as
cholera, typhoid fever and dysentery. Globally, the lack of access to clean water and
sanitation kills children at a rate that is equivalent of a jumbo jet crashing every four hours.
Share your action for your
chance to win!
Text “JUSTONEACTION” and
your action to 22333
Share online at
www.pollev.com/JustOne
Recommended JustOne Actions
Fix a Leak ◊ Turn Off Water While Brushing Teeth
Shorten Your Shower ◊ Water Your Garden at Night
Use a Rain Barrel ◊ Install a Low-Flow Shower Head
“Less Water” Resources
Information
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http://www.nrdc.org/water/
http://www.un.org/en/globalissues/water/
http://water.org/water-crisis/water-facts/water/
http://who.int/features/factfiles/water/en/
Photos
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http://us.123rf.com/400wm/400/400/belchonock/belchonock1002/
belchonock100200576/6479223-blue-water-drops-background.jpg
http://www.thewaterq.com/wnews1/images/stories/maxqcontent/
World/water-pollution4.jpg
http://www.insidepossie.com/wpcontent/uploads/2010/06/dead_fish0837.jpg
http://blog.shaleshockmedia.org/wpcontent/uploads/2012/06/dirty-water.jpeg
Questions? Comments? Email gogreen@inova.org.