World Water Day 2010, dedicated to the issue of water quality, points to a challenge that is often omitted from the
scarcity debate. Today, through a variety of global
events, publications, and
speeches, a large coalition of organizations, companies, and institutions will underline the importance of healthy ecosystems and water quality necessary for human well-being.
A participating partner in this initiative, the National Geographic Society, has made its special issue on water,
Water: Our Thirsty World,
available for free online. After registration, readers may find the following stories interesting:
“Water is Life” – Barbara Kingsolver
“The Big Melt” – Brook Larmer
“Sacred Waters” – John Stanmeyer
“The Burden of Thirst” – Tina Rosenberg
“Silent Streams” – Douglas H. Chadwick
“California’s Pipe Dreams” – Joel K. Bourne, Jr.
“Parting the Waters” – Don Belt
“The Last Drop” – Elizabeth Royte
Photo Credits: “Rural water pump near Ulundi, South Africa” Photo: Flickr User Trevor Samson, World Bank Photo Collection