Global South

The topic this week of the global south and more specifically the privatization of water is a very difficult one. As we discussed in class there is a fine line to walk between restriction/regulation and privatization. We have a finite amount of pure fresh water left and an almost unlimited amount of water that we can purify. Yet this means nothing if we do not distribute this water equally. To use the quote the ladies brought up in class, ‘people have lived without love… but no one can live without water’. Removing access from this vital resource for millions of people is entirely inhumane. We are not demolishing the quality of life, as we are guilty of doing for centuries, rather we are flat out killing people. Taking away access to water when there are so many solutions such as boiling, UV purification, or purification plants that use the employees in an area to create jobs rather than just to take money out of the area are all viable solutions. Water is a global issue and it is unfair that those of us who are lucky enough to live in North America have unlimited access to these sacred resources at a fingertip while others walk hours and go weeks without safe and clean water. North Americans use clean, safe water to flush our toilets, water our lawns, wash our cars weekly, and countless other tasks that seem necessary and needed to us. While on the other side of the world people are getting sick and dying because thirst and poverty have caused them to drink water that is unsafe. And the solution is at our fingertips.