Let our love for water continue to flow
(Secondoftwoparts)
THE United Nations has declared 2018 to 2028 as the International Decade for Action on Water for Sustainable Development in order to accelerate international efforts towards meeting water-related challenges, including limited access to safe water and sanitation, increasing pressure on water resources and ecosystems, and an exacerbated risk of droughts
Why the discussion on water so important?
Water is the only consistent and absolute requirement for life on Earth. We all drink water, bathe in water, cook with water, and are made of water. Water is a solvent, a solute, a reactant, and a catalyst. The water molecule is the second most common molecule in the universe after hydrogen. There are 100 times as many water molecules in our bodies than the sum of all the other molecules put together. Humans can’t live for more than a few days without water.
In the keynote address delivered by the Philippines’ Climate Change Commission (CCC) Sec. Emmanuel de Guzman, during the last National Conference on Water Security, acknowledged that: “Water scarcity is now a growing concern for the Philippines.” He enumerated the most striking data:
The 2017 Philippine National Demographic and Health Survey by the Philippine Statistics Authority stated that only 49 percent of Filipinos use non-piped improved water sources, while there is still a proportion of 5 percent of Filipinos using unimproved drinking water services.
In 2018, the National Economic and Development Authority presented that out of the 22.7 million families, 12.32 percent still have no access to safe water supply. Likewise, alarming is that 2.04 percent of the country’s population have cases of unimproved sanitation and 4.23 percent have occurrences of open defecation.
In the latest count of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, under the “Sagana atLigtasnaTubigparasaLahat” (Salintubig) program, there are still 173 waterless barangays across 15 regions that need urgent interventions for water supply and access.
Philippines has lost 1.09 million hectares of tree cover from 2001 to 2017, which is equivalent to a 5.9-percent decrease since year 2000, which is a contributory factor to urban communities, according to a report by Global Forest Watch.
Philippines is 54th among all countries that were determined by the World Resources Institute as highly water-stressed in sectors including agricultural, domestic and industrial, while Asian Development Bank ranks us 37th out of 48 countries on the national water security index — both clear indicators that with climate change, our rank can still reach a higher notch in terms of water stress and water insecurity.
The Philippines, being a country surrounded by water, is projected to experience a “high” degree of water shortage in 2040, according to a report published by the World Resources Institute.
The National Water Resources Board (NWRB) said during Roundtable Discussions on Water Security that hydropower takes up most of the allocated water for non-consumptive use at 57.09 percent, while for consumptive use, irrigation takes the lead at 73.05 percent.
Nine cities in the country were late 1990s, and other cities are still adding up to the list.
Student Leadership Conference on Development
On February 18 to 19, the Student Leadership Conference on Development at the United Nations has dedicated this year’s theme Accessible Water and Sanitation for All.” The annual conference to be hosted by the University of Makati will have three major subthemes, namely: water and sanitation resource management and innovation; water sanitation and infrastructure: and water pollution.
Now running on its 10th year, the conference, conceptualized in 2010 by Green Education Motivators headed by Wayne Jacoby, aims to bring students together from around the world to tackle real and pressing development issues facing our society today. I Am SAM Foundation Inc., the Philippine Convener and cofounded by Rayla Melchor Santos, has been the local host for the past six years.
As one of the partner organizations representing the Young Environmental Forum, I will deliver a message of inspiration to mobilize our young people to act on water-related challenges that will contribute to the achievement of the sustainable development goal.
Youth’s response to the water problem
According to the World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report 2019: “Water crisis as a societal strain is a leading global risk both in terms of likelihood and impact.”
Fifty young leaders representing different schools and universities from north to south of the country have been selected to represent the Young Environmental Forum for the conference. Let me share with you what they have to say when asked with the question: “What can I do to address the water problem?”
Ronaldo Magsakay, 20, BA Journalism, Bulacan State University said:
“Water crisis is a serious problem that we must face. As a youth and as a writer, it is a calling for us to use any platform that we have to further influence more people to conserve water. Change is something that will not magically come. It will start from me, it will start from us.”
Raymark Paul Rigor, 21, MS Conservation and Restoration Ecology, University of the Philippines-Baguio:
“Water crisis is so evident worldwide, and it prevails due to climate change. Potable water is now scarce in various regions that citizens are turning to whatever water resources they can adhere to. I believe that human action towards progress must always be observed that it does not compromise the environment, for this will cause further damage in land, water and other resources. As a researcher, I am fully aware of the potentials on how we can make new technology and enhance the existing ones to give people ways on how to have clean, potable wa water for instant drinkable water.”
Aldwin Silfavan, 19, AB Political Science, West Visayas State University:
“First, I can devote my personal time and space by simply sharing and proliferating awareness and learnings, news, articles, reliable blogs about water crisis through social media platforms. Second, I can participate in community activities like coastal clean-up in riverine and coastal barangay (villages) because it’s not just clean water, we should make sure it is also safe that can sustain life of the organisms living in there by maintaining a good pH other organisms. Third, we can expound our knowledge about water crisis by joining initiatives of Young Environmental Forum, which will improve our understanding and be innovative of our ways.”
Klel Sien Cordova, 20, BS Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology of Southern
Philippines: “I have experienced living in an area where the residents need to store water for their daily consumption because there is no water supply ranging from three to more than six hours daily. As an environmental engineering student, I can use water wisely. I will ensure that I will not take it for granted because we will never know the worth of water until water become scarce. I will participate in tree planting activities especially in areas near the watersheds and practice CLAYGO (Clean As You Go) wherever I go.”
Jonalyn Dilangalen, 21, BS Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, University of Southern Mindanao:
“In our generation, our water sources maybe the most critical element in our society if we do not do our part to make it more safe and clean. As a student leader, I will address the water crisis with the people who are irresponsible to their environment. Throwing garbage anywhere, especially to the canal, rivers and lakes is very disappointing. We must think of our generation and the generations to come. The betterness of our world begins with us, so let us conserve water and save humanity.”
Love is like water. We can’t live without it. Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone!