H2Know [Blog Action Day]

As we all know, blogging has seized the world wide web. People publish just about any topic imaginable, from home-cooked food to whimsical baby snapshots.  Some, like myself, just post their daily musings and social rants, and hope at least their closest friends will read them.

In 2007, Collis & Cyan Ta'eed decided to take advantage of the increasing influence of bloggers and eventually collaborated with change.org, "the world's leading blog network for social issues", to establish Blog Action Day.  The premise-- to get as many bloggers as possible to write about the same social issue on the same day of the year, and thereby exceedingly promote awareness of the issue in question. 

In the inaugural year, that issue was generally the Environment.  I'm fascinated by the idea that thousands of bloggers will interpret the issue in thousands of ways, but all will aim to make a difference in the world. Inspiring, right? I obviously couldn't resist.

My soapbox is earning its keep this month. I might have to invest in a new one after all this wear-and-tear.

Anyway, the 2010 topic is Water.  Vague much?

Well, let's think about water for a second.
 It composes:
-2/3 of the earth's surface
-60% of your body
-about 70% of your brain

Water = Life

Now let's look at a few more facts:

More than 1 billion people do not have access to clean, drinkable water.  That's 1 in 8 people in the world.



90% of the 42,000 deaths that occur every week from unsafe water and unhygienic living conditions are to children under five years old.

Bottom line: People are dying everywhere because they do not have the most basic element of human life.

Since my readers are now my dually-elected comrades in my quest to change the world, here are some ways you can save the world...literally.

Exercise water conservation practices. Save some for the rest of the world!

Visit mycharitywater.org  to learn about ways you can get active in your community and raise funds to build wells in needy countries. (They'll even follow up with you when your project is complete and show you photos of your results!)

Sponsor a child at worldvision.org or purchase Max Lucado's new book Outlive Your Life for a two-fer. You'll get inspirational teachings about how to make a long-lasting impact in this life, and 100% of Max's royalties are being donated to sponsor wells in African nations.

What tips do you have for saving water?

Assuming you have the privilege, are you drinking your 8 glasses a day? Hydration is the easiest way to stay healthy.

You can find out more info. about Blog Action Day and about water at blogactionday.change.org.