Here we are at the last Friday of the month – one of my favorite days. It’s time for promoting positive news via We Are the World Blogfest. I love participating as an agent of pronoia along with dozens of other ambassadors highlighting little pockets of love and light for us all to celebrate.
The special lead co-hosts for this month are: Michelle Wallace, Shilpa Garg, Andrea Michaels, Peter Nena, and Emerald Barnes. You can participate by signing up here, and I encourage you to check out all the other bloggers participating as well.
I’ve been thinking a lot about water this month, particularly since earlier in September, the 18th to be exact, was World Water Monitoring Day. It’s an annual observation dedicated to global education to build public awareness and involvement in protecting water resources around the world by empowering citizens to carry out basic monitoring of their local bodies of water.
But aside from this particular personal focus, I think water has been on our collective minds a great deal this month for other reasons.
At least 41 million people are directly affected by flooding from the monsoons in Bangladesh, India, Nepal; and add in the flooding from hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria and the number of people impacted is mind-boggling.
It’s ironic that just as there is immense suffering from too much water, it is estimated that there are 663 million people living without a safe water supply close to home, spending unimaginable hours trekking to distance sources or standing in line for access to water, and coping with the health impact of using contaminated water.
So I was delighted to discover the work of the “Peruvians Without Water” association, which is providing an innovate, low-tech, grass-roots solution to a major issue. There are 10 million people in Peru who don’t have access to basic water and sewer service. But check out this video to see what they’re doing to capture the “ocean in the sky.”
Being able to turn on the tap and have dependable access to clean safe water is a blessing I tend to take for granted, but in truth I think we all need to work harder to make that a reality for everyone everywhere. Kudos to those like Abel Cruz Gutiérrez for being wayshowers.
I hope this isn’t a duplication Deborah … my comment didn’t go through, some sort of error. My computer is on a go-slow so will watch the youtube link later .. Your picture of the person watering while it is raining says much. Here in South Africa too many STILL don’t realise what a precious resource water is – and much of our country is in drought.
May thousands of blessings be showered upon Abel Cruz Gutiérrez for his initiative in bringing relief to those in Peru.
Water is indeed such a precious resource, and droughts can be so devastating. It’s so clear we need increased education, more brilliant solutions, and perhaps some genius ideas about redistribution of resources across the globe.
This is brilliant! Fog catchers are amazing. I had no idea that such a thing existed, let alone could provide as much water as they do. Way cool. Smart people are everywhere on the earth trying to make things better, aren’t they?
It is brilliant isn’t it Ally?! I get so inspired by the creative genius of people, who can take low-tech ideas and create huge results.
Hi Deborah – what a superb idea … and obviously it works … we really must learn more from the South American continent – they seem to have loads of ideas. It’s interesting because the fogs in Namibia off the Benguela current that runs up the Namibian coast releases fog onto the main land … which the insects, flora and some fauna utilise … the Peruvian idea could be used in Namibia …
Thank you so much for telling us about Peruvians Without Water – an excellent project … cheers HIlary
I keep imagining that when we truly start to understand ourselves as one global family, we’ll start accessing genius ideas from each other with greater ease and less resistance, and how wonderful that will be.
Finding this clever idea has lead me down a rabbit hole and I’ve been discovering all manner of interesting things about fog, including how many different varieties there are. Fascinating!
What a great idea! I have definitely felt the wet fog here by the ocean and have had to use the windshield wipers when I drive in it. Some amazingly smart people out there. Thanks for sharing this! Happy Friday, Deborah.
I always enjoy a good fog – especially the pea-soup thick ones that have me thinking of Victorian England and catapulting me into Sherlockian thoughts. 🙂
Wishing you a wonderful Friday as well Janet.
Once again Deborah, your light is shining bright! And I will join you to do my part in sharing the light, so that others who may be in darkness can find their way. Water is essential to life, and it is taken for granted as we jump into that nice hot bath or shower. I for one, give thanks for that water, every single time that I turn on my faucet…yes, I am grateful for water!
“Water is life, and clean water means health.” ~ Audrey Hepburn
I’m so glad you’re joining #WATWB this month Vicki – your voice will be a welcome addition!
What an ingenious method that is simplicity itself. I love the idea of capturing “the ocean in the sky.” Necessity is the mother of invention. I’m glad they’re able to find a way to get clean water.
This innovation really has catapulted me into thinking about simplicity – a great reminder.
What a fantastic initiative – thanks for highlighting this story Deborah – somebody told me once that the future wars would be about water – what an awful thought, when there are simple solutions available.
Fil xx
I’ve heard that as well Fil. If we could only stop wasting our time and energy on ridiculous engagements in divisiveness and put our efforts towards solutions to critical issues – there is such need!
The “Peruvians Without Water” project is another win for mankind, as we travel along the road to sustainable living!
Who would have thought that a net holds the answer to such a serious problem? Amazing.
It’s also a testament to man’s innovative abilities via use of a basic and everyday item – a nylon net. One fog catcher captures about 50 to 100 gallons of water a day? Wow!
Thank you for bringing this to our attention.
This was a real eye-opener for me!! 🙂
#WATWB #InDarknessBeLight
The fact that it’s such a genius low-tech elegant solution really thrills me.
Thanks for stopping by Michelle, and for co-hosting WATWB this month – always such a welcome dose of upliftment!
Great post. So many of us take for granted something that is so accessible to us. I have never heard of “fog-catchers”, what a wonderful, innovative idea that can help so many. Thanks for sharing this and for being a part of #WATWB!
Simple genius is always welcome isn’t it?! Thanks for stopping by Belinda – and wishing you a month of good and uplifting news.
This so ingenious that I just had to share with my friend as a possible way to help with his farm. Thanks for sharing and for being a part of #WATWB.
How fabulous Lynn if this could be a solution for your friend!
Wishing you a wonderful month, and looking forward to our next collection of celebratory news.
Love the idea of those fog-catchers, Deborah. They could be used in other parts of the world. Such simple ingenuity. Thanks for sharing.
There’s such beauty in the simple solutions isn’t there – it kind of makes it feel like a double win in my mind.