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DAY 16: WATER SCARCITY
— LEARN —
Water is the foundation of human and ecological health and covers 70% of our world. It is essential for agriculture, sanitation, industry, recreation, energy, and maintaining natural ecosystems.
Generally, people understand the importance of water and its necessity for life. However, too often water is treated as a limitless resource. This lack of sustainable use planning, combined with population changes and climate change, has led to a lack of sufficient water supply to meet the water usage demands for different areas in the United States and across the globe.
Environmental justice issues related to water scarcity include:
- Some low-income communities lack equal access to clean water in the U.S., including farmworkers and people who are unhoused.
- Native Americans are more likely than any other group of people in the U.S. to have trouble accessing clean water.
- Water scarcity has increased global migration and has been a factor in armed conflict in places under extreme water stress, such as Syria and Darfur.
Getting Started:
Going Deeper:
— PRAY —
Prayer for Rain:
Cover my earth mother four times with many flowers.
Let the heavens be covered with the banked-up clouds.
Let the earth be covered with fog; cover the earth with rains.
Great waters, rains, cover the earth. Lighting cover the earth.
Let thunder be heard over the earth; let thunder be heard;
Let thunder be heard over the six regions of the earth.
Zuni Prayer for Rain
Consider using this resource from Creation Justice Ministries to continue your reflection on water.
— ACT —
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Use these suggestions from the Environmental Protection Agency to start saving water in your home.
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What are potential water scarcity issues in your own community? Research groups that are working for better water stewardship where you live.
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