In an address to Catholic media on December 16th, Pope Francis evaluated the dissemination of fake news as a pressing world problem. Calling it a “grave sin that hurts the heart of the journalist and hurts others,” he set the stage for the inclusion of the issue in his upcoming annual address. We remember the… Continue reading Pontiff Cites Pressing World Problem of Fake News
Tag: Water Crisis Facts
Gospel for Asia recently released a special report titled “Dying of Thirst: the Global Water Crisis,” which highlights many of the worldwide issues people are facing today concerning the lack of pure water and it’s availability. Below are six Water Crisis Facts pulled from the report.
A Look at the People (The Demand)
1. More than 9 billion people live in “potentially severely water-scarce areas,” according to the United Nations. That is more than 27 percent of all human beings alive right now.
Factoid: “Water scarcity” is the lack of sufficient available water resources to meet the demands of water usage within a designated region.
2. More than 1 billion people have no access to safely managed drinking water. Not “some access.” Not “limited access.” They have no access.
Factoid: Safely managed drinking water is water that:
- comes from an improved source located on premises,
- is available when needed,
- and is free from microbiological and priority chemical contamination.
3. More than 263 million people must travel more than 30 minutes each way to collect and carry their daily water needs.
Factoid: “Travel” usual means on foot.
Factoid: 30 minutes is the minimum time used for the standard calculation. Many travel several hours each way.
A Look at the Planet (The Supply)
We are all familiar with the phrase coined by Samuel Taylor Coleridge in his “Rime of the Ancient Mariner:” “Water, water, everywhere, Nor any drop to drink.” That could describe the demand side of the global water crisis.
4. 5 percent of the surface water on the earth is the salt water contained in the oceans.
5. 7 percent of the remaining 3.5 percent of the total global water supply is fresh water that is locked away in glaciers, polar ice caps, and permanent snow.
6. Only 30.1 percent of the freshwater is usable, but not necessarily clean. This is the total surface water available for human use.
Factoid: Only slightly more than 1 percent of all the water on earth is available for personal human use.
Points to Ponder
We cannot afford to let our worldview exclude more than 27 percent of the world’s population lest we do what I mentioned at the outset: take life’s necessities such as safe drinking water for granted.
Michigan to Pay to Replace Lead Pipes in Flint, Michigan
Photo by Blueskiesfalling (Connor Coyne) After a lawsuit was placed on Michigan and the city of Flint, both decided to help the citizens of the city by replacing the lead pipes that were infecting the water that’s flowing through them. Per Fox News, “Michigan and the city of Flint agreed Monday to replace thousands… Continue reading Michigan to Pay to Replace Lead Pipes in Flint, Michigan
Flint, Michigan to Start Home Delivery of Water Due to Judge’s Ruling
Blueskiesfalling A few years back, Flint, Michigan was found to have water that was mixed with a bunch of lead. It is not until last November though, that a judge made a mandate allowing for home delivery of water bottles. Fox News reports, “A judge on Thursday ordered delivery of bottled water to lead-tainted homes… Continue reading Flint, Michigan to Start Home Delivery of Water Due to Judge’s Ruling
Last September’s India Water Crisis
In September 2016, India was in a drought after the monsoon rains came in. There was a water sharing deal between two of the states, and this caused much protests. CNN reports, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed to protesters to exercise restraint and follow the law as a heavy paramilitary presence was deployed Wednesday. Protests… Continue reading Last September’s India Water Crisis
Well installations and filter distributions bring relief
Wed April 19, 2017 – Gospel for Asia Gospel for Asia (GFA)-supported workers provide disease-prevention systems and lessons to improve health, offer hope in World Water Day effort WILLS POINT, Texas—Fresh water sources are freeing impoverished families in Asia from sickness and disease. GFA (Gospel for Asia)-supported workers dedicated new Jesus Wells in series of… Continue reading Well installations and filter distributions bring relief
Chile water crisis due to flooding
PizarroContreras Chile is undergoing a water crisis due to the flooding there. This is located in the capital city of Santiago. The BBC reports, “Rainstorms and landslides in Chile have contaminated a major river forcing the authorities to cut off drinking water to at least four million people in the capital, Santiago.” These homes… Continue reading Chile water crisis due to flooding
After Two Years of Praying and Waiting, South Asian Village Gets ‘Jesus Well’
WILLS POINT TX — The entire community of one South Asian village will join in World Water Day celebrations on March 22 by dedicating their new “Jesus Well” – a well drilled and installed with the support of Gospel for Asia (GFA), and which is the result of more than two years of prayer. “Wells… Continue reading After Two Years of Praying and Waiting, South Asian Village Gets ‘Jesus Well’
More than 330 million Indians facing water shortage and heat
Nearly 25 percent of India’s vast population is facing a severe water shortage and extreme heat that is claiming lives and threatening livelihoods as temperatures reach 42C/107.6F in the shade, virtually wiping out agriculture in three states. Agriculture represents an estimated 15 percent of India’s gross domestic product, according to The Guardian, which also reports that… Continue reading More than 330 million Indians facing water shortage and heat
India faces a water shortage among its 1.3 billion residents
With 91 of India’s major water reservoirs registering lower-than-normal at about 29 percent capacity, the world’s second most-populated nation is facing its worst water scarcity in a decade. Making the challenge even more critical is that 66,093 rural Indian villages only have access to contaminated water. In West Bengal state, the declining water levels of… Continue reading India faces a water shortage among its 1.3 billion residents
As Wells Dry Up Across India, Gospel for Asia Issues Call to Prayer
WIDESPREAD DROUGHT AFFECTS 330 MILLION ON SUBCONTINENT WILLS POINT, TX – Gospel for Asia (GFA) is calling on the world to pray for those experiencing a drought, aggravated by rising temperatures. More than 300 million are affected. The Indian government has noted that nearly a quarter of the country, more than 250 districts, are facing… Continue reading As Wells Dry Up Across India, Gospel for Asia Issues Call to Prayer
Providing the Living Water on World Water Day
World Water Day and Your Mission Through our faith in action on World Water Day, many will come to know Him as they are provided with sanitary water, a precious gift that many around the world do not have access to. Throughout scripture, God’s people are commanded to take care of those who are downtrodden… Continue reading Providing the Living Water on World Water Day
Delhi Officials Scramble to Find Water During Shortage
Residents in India’s capital of Delhi have faced a massive water shortage since protesters in the state of Haryana sabotaged the Munak canal causing a breach the affected 10 million people. The resulting water shortage has sent officials scrambling to supply water to all segments of its society. Marginal communities have suffered the most. Water… Continue reading Delhi Officials Scramble to Find Water During Shortage