Water; An Issue of Life & Livelihoods

Water is essential for all socio-economic development and for maintaining healthy ecosystem. As population increases and development calls for increased allocations of grondwater and surface water for the domestic, agriculture and industrial sectors, the pressure on water resources intensifies, leading to tensions, conflict among users and excessive pressure on the environment.

http://www.fao.org/nr/water/issues/scarcity.html

Water use has been growing at more than twice the rate of population increase in the last century. Although, there is no global water scarcity as such, an increasing number of regions are chronically short of water.

According to FAO, by 2025, 1 800 million people will be living in coutries or regions with absolute water scarcity and two-thirds of the world population could be under stress condition. The situation will be exacerbated as rapidly growing urban areas place heavy pressure on neighbouring water resources.

Statistic from UN shows that, 26 countries suffered serious water scarcity since 1990 and most of the them are Africa, the Middle East, south Asia, the western United States, South America, China and nearly all of Australia. Sadly, it is up to 3 million people die each year because of water-borne diseases.

Water rather than land shortages are now stopping agriculture expanding in many regions, and the UN fears that water shortages could jeopardise food supplies and trigger economic stagnation.

Globally, water seems to be abundant. And the problem is that, where it is accessible of water it is either being heavily polluted or it is drawn from depleted reservoirs. Malaysia for example, more than half the 400 rivers in Malaysia are polluted according to the Drainage and Irrigation Department and the Department of Environment.

So Malaysian.. wake up..!!! do something and this is the time to help keep our water clean and there are many things we can do to help.

• Be careful about what you throw down your sink or toilet. Don't throw paints, oils or other forms of litter down the drain.
• Use environmentally household products, such as washing powder, household cleaning agents and toiletries.
• Take great care not to overuse pesticides and fertilisers. This will prevent runoffs of the material into nearby water sources.
• By having more plants in your garden you are preventing fertiliser, pesticides and contaminated water from running off into nearby water sources.
• Don't throw litter into rivers, lakes or oceans. Help clean up any litter you see on beaches or in rivers and lakes, make sure it is safe to collect the litter and put it in a nearby dustbin.

And always remember, water for life, water for livelihood. Millions of people rely in one way or another on water for their daily income or food production. Do appreciate our mother nature and conserve the environment for the sake of young generation.

Water for Life, Water for Livelihood...

credit to: FAO, UN, ytlcommunity.com, interestgrouppahang.wetpaint.com, Jabatan Pengairan & Saliran, Guardian.uk

PETA vs CCF

The Centre for Consumer Freedom criticized the supporters of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) in a full page advertisement for endorsing the animal rights group even as it kills thousand of animals in its care.

http://www.petakillsanimals.com

The Centre for Consumer Freedom (CCF) published documents online showing that PETA killed 95 percent of the adoptable pets in its care during 2008. Despite years of public outrage over its campaigns, official goverment records that PETA itself has killed more than 6 animals every working day since 1998.

However, PETA has yet to comment on this case and for the records, this is not the first time they have been accused of such practices. Based on PETA policy, it is stated that they will euthanize the majority of animals surrender to them and for certain breeds of animals such as pit bull terriers.

PETA thru their article on "Animals Rights Uncompromised: Euthanasia" (http:.//www.peta.org/campaigns/ar-euthanasia.asp) claims that there will be never be enough homes for all puppies and kittens in the United States as tens of thousand of them are born every day. Euthanasia according to PETA is a reality because of people who abandon animals, refuse to strelize theire animals, and patronize pet and breeders instead of adopting stray animals or animals from shelters. Eventhough it is difficutl to accept, euthanasia according to PETA is often the most compassionate and dignified way for unwanted animals to leave an uncaring world.

For records, PETA against all medical research that requires the use of animals including research aimed at curing AIDS and cancer. CCF in other hands wondering why people would give money to PETA that opposes all medical reseacrh that uses animals to conquer human diseases like AIDS and lukemia but applying euthanasia to overcome the "surplus" numbers of them.

How about u guys.. are you a PETA or CCF..?








credit to: consumerfreedom.com, petakillsanimals.com, nowpublic.com, peta.org