Wednesday, 6 March 2013

THE WONDER OF WATER


Did you know that only 2-3% of the water on our planet is fresh? And only 1% of that is fit for human consumption? More than 70% of the world’s fresh water is locked up as ice, in ice sheets and glaciers. This element, so essential for life, is a most precious blessing for us Earthlings.
These are among the things I learned from Anne Boyd at Talks On . . .  on Tuesday, (26th Feb), at The Open Door Dandenong.

Another thing that surprised me:  the huge amount of ‘virtual’ water we use that isn’t counted in our consumption tallies. For example we use massive amounts of water in producing electricity from coal, creating I.T. microchips and manufacturing plastic water bottles.
Studies which Anne quoted from the USA showed that the bottled water under scrutiny came from the city’s water supply.  Other bottles were found to contain bacteria and small amounts of arsenic. The citizens are stung twice – for tax and for consumption of bottled water.

Still there is room for hope.  We were all engaged and inspired with the questions:

What is your favourite water spot?

What draws you to it?

I invite you to refresh your spirit with the same.

 - Columba

 

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