From Scott Harrison at charity: water:
This Tuesday, charity: water comes to Chelsea Market, NYC.Opening cocktail reception Tuesday, March 10th, 9 PM.
If you or your friends live in New York City, join us for a cocktail reception at the legendary Chelsea Market as we open our educational photography exhibition on water in the developing world.
The event begins at 9PM and we'll play host to more than 1,000 people. We've got some great musical acts lined up including The Kin, Rob Murat and Marques Tolliver. Tickets to the opening are only a $20 donation in advance, $40 at the door. As always, 100% goes directly to build wells in developing nations.Tickets and info here.
This exhibition is our biggest opportunity yet to tell the stories of the billion people on the planet living without access to safe drinking water, and the low-cost solutions we're funding to help them. The foot traffic in Chelsea Market is between 10,000 - 15,000 people per day, so we're excited about reaching more than one million people over the three month show.
THE WISHING WELL.Wood sculptor and artist Thomas Beale will transform the market's fountain into a Wishing Well. Visitors will be encouraged to toss in their loose change from purchases made at the market, and 100% of the money collected will directly fund freshwater projects in developing nations. Sponsors will then match your change penny for penny to fund even more wells.
HOW YOU CAN HELP.If you're a company or individual interested in sponsoring a well for a village, use your gift to match donations thrown into the wishing well. We're looking for at least 10 companies or individuals to pledge $5,000 over the course of the event. We'll communicate your support to the cause as part of the installation. If you know anyone who'd like to become a matching sponsor, write us here to learn more.
DON'T LIVE IN NYC? THE VIRTUAL EXHIBITION.If you can't attend, we'll be placing the exhibition online for you to see shortly after the opening.Visit charitywater.org/chelseamarket to see it after March 13th.We hope to see you there! - Scott Harrison
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Monday, March 2, 2009
Social Entrepreneurs and Sanitation - huge potential
Great piece today on OneWorld:
Entrepreneurs Tackle Sanitation in Africa
African social entrepreneurs making money by selling toilets. Great idea. The Global Water Challenge and Ashoka rock. Think about it: 2.5 billion people don't have toilets - that's a global market of at least 500m toilets, plus nice recurring revenue streams because they all need servicing. Someone is going to a) get wealthy and b) win the Nobel Peace Prize for eliminating fatal diarrhea.
Also check out the World Toilet Organization. Sneak preview: plans are afoot to make November 19, World Toilet Day, an official United Nations Day. More soon.
Entrepreneurs Tackle Sanitation in Africa
African social entrepreneurs making money by selling toilets. Great idea. The Global Water Challenge and Ashoka rock. Think about it: 2.5 billion people don't have toilets - that's a global market of at least 500m toilets, plus nice recurring revenue streams because they all need servicing. Someone is going to a) get wealthy and b) win the Nobel Peace Prize for eliminating fatal diarrhea.
Also check out the World Toilet Organization. Sneak preview: plans are afoot to make November 19, World Toilet Day, an official United Nations Day. More soon.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Chicago 2016 Olympics Bid: Water!
Water makes it to the big game...I was just digging through the recently-submitted Chicago bid for the 2016 Olympics and found some very encouraging language on global water:
“Chicago will partner with the Olympic Movement to help address the worldwide fresh water crisis. Chicago 2016’s concept of the Blue-Green Games, which refers to the blue of the fresh water lake and the green of the city’s expansive parklands, features a portfolio of environmental initiatives. These efforts will provide access to fresh water, resources and technology to regions of the world in need, thus making sport more accessible to all.”
“Chicago will partner with the Olympic Movement to help address the worldwide fresh water crisis. Chicago 2016’s concept of the Blue-Green Games, which refers to the blue of the fresh water lake and the green of the city’s expansive parklands, features a portfolio of environmental initiatives. These efforts will provide access to fresh water, resources and technology to regions of the world in need, thus making sport more accessible to all.”
Water Positive
“Chicago 2016 intends to create a positive impact on water resources during the Blue-Green Games and will achieve this objective through three main strategies. First, although Chicago is not located in a region where water is a scarce resource, water conservation at all levels is immensely important. CHICOG will reduce the amount of water used in the Village and venues by 20 percent. The plan will focus on storm water collection and reuse and the application of best practices for water management and conservation at venues and the Village.
Second, CHICOG, in conjunction with the Chicago Climate Exchange, will pursue the creation of an innovative Water Markets program to advance water sustainability issues and economic incentives for conservation.
Third, and most ambitious, CHICOG will develop an innovative Water positive program, a global water access initiative to bring clean water to developing communities around the world. In conjunction with NGOs and NOCs, this new program will bring opportunities for the greater pursuit of sport in developing countries and will become a legacy of the Chicago 2016 Games.
Water Positive will:
- Establish the Water Access through Sport program in international sporting locales to increase clean water access as well as opportunities to actively pursue sports.
- Achieve a 20 percent water use reduction at the venues and Olympic Village.
- Incorporate water conservation and water reuse technologies in the venues and Village.
- Educate spectators and visitors about water conservation and water sustainability during the Games.
The linkages between sports and development challenges are clear and go both ways. Children and athletes need safe water and sanitation to remain healthy and hydrated, and sports can be used to raise awareness of water issues around the world. Kudos to the Chicago 2016 team for recognizing these linkages and acting on them.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Twestival - Where Twitter Meets Safe Water
Q: Does Twitter actually add value to society?
A: Yes. Twestival.com
Regardless of the ongoing debate in my head about whether Twitter does indeed add value to society - who really needs to know when I'm on the john anyhow - the Twitter folks had me from "Hey - we're trying to raise money for safe water projects around the world for charity: water - want to help?"
charity: water rocks. Scott Harrison and his crew are playing to their strengths in promotions, events, celebrities for good causes, and raising a lot of money for high-quality nonprofits like Action Against Hunger, Partners in Health, and Water For People.
The safe drinking water and sanitation challenge is arguably the world's largest public health crisis.
And Tweet. Meet. Give. brings this reality to a whole new set of players in 160 cities, including each of yours. Let's get twittering.
Monday, December 15, 2008
The Time of Cholera
By now we have all read of the cholera situation in Zimbabwe (or should have). It sucks - and has been caused by any number of mostly if not entirely preventable factors far beyond simply the gnarly water and sanitation situation there.
Although it is difficult to step back and look at the cholera outbreak more broadly right now, let me add a couple of thoughts:
- this crisis highlights the need for a holistic approach to water for people: safe drinking water supplies, sanitation facilities and hygiene (handwashing) interventions are all required. Cholera is not spread simply by water, but by water contaminated by human feces which has not been adequately treated, and by dirty fingers, food, etc.
- this cholera outbreak also highlights the need for tight language in appropriations for the Water for the Poor Act, the Water for the Poor Enhancement Act, and other related legislation, e.g. on child survival. That language needs to focus on people and poor. Period.
- safe drinking water and good sanitation facilities are both the prevention of and the cure for cholera. It is much more efficient to prevent cholera and other diarrheal diseases than to treat them. Ask Peru about the economic/financial costs of prevention vs. cure when a cholera outbreak cost their economy $1b+ a few years ago.
- cholera is now a regional health and economic issue, and could become a regional (southern Africa) security issue quite easily with the xenophobia prevalent in the region.
- Zim is not alone. Cholera outbreaks are occurring or have recently occurred in Kenya, Peru, the Philippines, Malawi, Zambia, DR Congo, Angola, Nigeria, Burundi, Guinea-Bissau, South Africa and others.
So: try to keep as many Zimbabweans alive in the short term, keep cholera from spreading beyond its current borders in the medium term, and let's do what we can to prevent it from happening again by addressing water, sanitation and hygiene in the long term.
Although it is difficult to step back and look at the cholera outbreak more broadly right now, let me add a couple of thoughts:
- this crisis highlights the need for a holistic approach to water for people: safe drinking water supplies, sanitation facilities and hygiene (handwashing) interventions are all required. Cholera is not spread simply by water, but by water contaminated by human feces which has not been adequately treated, and by dirty fingers, food, etc.
- this cholera outbreak also highlights the need for tight language in appropriations for the Water for the Poor Act, the Water for the Poor Enhancement Act, and other related legislation, e.g. on child survival. That language needs to focus on people and poor. Period.
- safe drinking water and good sanitation facilities are both the prevention of and the cure for cholera. It is much more efficient to prevent cholera and other diarrheal diseases than to treat them. Ask Peru about the economic/financial costs of prevention vs. cure when a cholera outbreak cost their economy $1b+ a few years ago.
- cholera is now a regional health and economic issue, and could become a regional (southern Africa) security issue quite easily with the xenophobia prevalent in the region.
- Zim is not alone. Cholera outbreaks are occurring or have recently occurred in Kenya, Peru, the Philippines, Malawi, Zambia, DR Congo, Angola, Nigeria, Burundi, Guinea-Bissau, South Africa and others.
So: try to keep as many Zimbabweans alive in the short term, keep cholera from spreading beyond its current borders in the medium term, and let's do what we can to prevent it from happening again by addressing water, sanitation and hygiene in the long term.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Water Innovations Alliance - Launch in Washington DC
The Water Innovations Alliance invites you to attend its founding meeting:
December 3, 2008
11:00-2:30
At the office of K&L Gates in Washington DC
1601 K St. NW (entrance on 16th St.)
202.778.9000
RSVP to info@waterinnovations.org
The Water Innovations Alliance is the public policy voice of the world's water innovators. The Alliance's role is to advocate policies that promote the aggressive development of water technology and innovations across all sectors and all users of water by creating new market opportunities through increasing funding and removing barriers to deploying new innovations.
The Alliance also serves as a platform to improve awareness and collaboration between large companies, universities, start-ups, NGOs and utilities within the water sector – exposing all key stakeholders to new technologies, innovations and prospects.
The Alliance is developing groundbreaking reports and policy briefings, hosting events, conducting member surveys, and tracking new technology developments to increase awareness of new water develops, needs, and opportunities. The Alliance is collaborating with its members as well as other global water organizations to support a global agenda for safe, fair and sustainable water policies.
The Alliance was founded by leaders in the water, investment, technology and non profit field. It is jointly headquartered in Cambridge, MA and Washington DC. For more information go to: http://www.waterinnovations.org (launching 12/01/08).
The Founding Meeting will be an opportunity to help set the course of the Alliance. Attendees will include will include leaders from key water-related sectors, as well as researchers, funders, public entities, and grassroots groups.
Supporting the membership will be an advisory committee of highly-regarded water technology experts from around the globe, as well as a team of veteran technology association executives with years of experience representing broad coalitions. Please join us in Washington DC on December 3, 2008 and take part in building a new movement in water.
December 3, 2008
11:00-2:30
At the office of K&L Gates in Washington DC
1601 K St. NW (entrance on 16th St.)
202.778.9000
RSVP to info@waterinnovations.org
The Water Innovations Alliance is the public policy voice of the world's water innovators. The Alliance's role is to advocate policies that promote the aggressive development of water technology and innovations across all sectors and all users of water by creating new market opportunities through increasing funding and removing barriers to deploying new innovations.
The Alliance also serves as a platform to improve awareness and collaboration between large companies, universities, start-ups, NGOs and utilities within the water sector – exposing all key stakeholders to new technologies, innovations and prospects.
The Alliance is developing groundbreaking reports and policy briefings, hosting events, conducting member surveys, and tracking new technology developments to increase awareness of new water develops, needs, and opportunities. The Alliance is collaborating with its members as well as other global water organizations to support a global agenda for safe, fair and sustainable water policies.
The Alliance was founded by leaders in the water, investment, technology and non profit field. It is jointly headquartered in Cambridge, MA and Washington DC. For more information go to: http://www.waterinnovations.org (launching 12/01/08).
The Founding Meeting will be an opportunity to help set the course of the Alliance. Attendees will include will include leaders from key water-related sectors, as well as researchers, funders, public entities, and grassroots groups.
Supporting the membership will be an advisory committee of highly-regarded water technology experts from around the globe, as well as a team of veteran technology association executives with years of experience representing broad coalitions. Please join us in Washington DC on December 3, 2008 and take part in building a new movement in water.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Flush it?!? I would LOVE to.
Here is TIME Magazine's review of Rose George's book The Big Necessity: The Unmentionable World of Human Waste and Why It Matters:
Flush it.
OK, fine. Well, hold on. I am writing from India, where 700m of us don't have the luxury of a flushing john with which to flush our bacteria-laden poo much less books about sanitation. I am writing from Ethiopia, where only 8% (sic) of my rural compatriots have even the most basic sanitation facility. I am writing from Nicaragua, where only 34% (sic) of rural inhabitants have a place to go to the bathroom besides the jungle. And might I encourage Andrea Sachs to compete with passersby for a space on the sidewalk in front of her office next time nature calls? See for example, the questions posed by this campaign from the German Toilet Organization.
For that matter, how about Freddy and Sara, Ms. Sachs' two shelter cats, being deprived of their litter box? Would that change her mind as to the primacy of the sanitation issue?
I don't have the luxury of flushing away a well-written, well-documented, eye-opening book about a global health crisis that kills five times (sic) as many under-fives as does HIV. I'd like to be able to pull the handle on a porcelain toilet to wash out of sight a book which brings to light the fact that diarrheal disease kills twice as many under-fives as does malaria, and sickens billions (sic) more.
Ms. Sachs writes "A series of articles was plenty on this topic," and she also suggests reading it is an "ordeal by ordure." I am mildly impressed by her alliteration, but was a series of articles enough to focus the world's attention on HIV/AIDS? How comfortable were we discussing HIV twenty years ago? Did our discomfort make HIV a less worthy cause? Was an oped in the Washington Post enough to get the world's attention on malaria, or safe drinking water?
Only when sanitation (shit, diarrhea, feces, cholera, dysentery, 2m dead under-fives each year) becomes as compelling to talk (and blog) about as HIV/AIDS will the proper amount of effort be dedicated to inadequate sanitation. This remains arguably the world's gravest public health challenge, whose gravity siphons off innumerable resources from other less preventable health challenges and development priorities. And fatal diarrhea is preventable.
So, now that we are past the nonsense of a "series of articles" being enough, how about we start with a cover story on TIME to highlight the global sanitation challenge, and the work, for example of the Global Sanitation Fund? Or maybe more feature articles on Rock, Paper, Scissors are a better use of newsprint?
Love,
John
Flush it.
OK, fine. Well, hold on. I am writing from India, where 700m of us don't have the luxury of a flushing john with which to flush our bacteria-laden poo much less books about sanitation. I am writing from Ethiopia, where only 8% (sic) of my rural compatriots have even the most basic sanitation facility. I am writing from Nicaragua, where only 34% (sic) of rural inhabitants have a place to go to the bathroom besides the jungle. And might I encourage Andrea Sachs to compete with passersby for a space on the sidewalk in front of her office next time nature calls? See for example, the questions posed by this campaign from the German Toilet Organization.
For that matter, how about Freddy and Sara, Ms. Sachs' two shelter cats, being deprived of their litter box? Would that change her mind as to the primacy of the sanitation issue?
I don't have the luxury of flushing away a well-written, well-documented, eye-opening book about a global health crisis that kills five times (sic) as many under-fives as does HIV. I'd like to be able to pull the handle on a porcelain toilet to wash out of sight a book which brings to light the fact that diarrheal disease kills twice as many under-fives as does malaria, and sickens billions (sic) more.
Ms. Sachs writes "A series of articles was plenty on this topic," and she also suggests reading it is an "ordeal by ordure." I am mildly impressed by her alliteration, but was a series of articles enough to focus the world's attention on HIV/AIDS? How comfortable were we discussing HIV twenty years ago? Did our discomfort make HIV a less worthy cause? Was an oped in the Washington Post enough to get the world's attention on malaria, or safe drinking water?
Only when sanitation (shit, diarrhea, feces, cholera, dysentery, 2m dead under-fives each year) becomes as compelling to talk (and blog) about as HIV/AIDS will the proper amount of effort be dedicated to inadequate sanitation. This remains arguably the world's gravest public health challenge, whose gravity siphons off innumerable resources from other less preventable health challenges and development priorities. And fatal diarrhea is preventable.
So, now that we are past the nonsense of a "series of articles" being enough, how about we start with a cover story on TIME to highlight the global sanitation challenge, and the work, for example of the Global Sanitation Fund? Or maybe more feature articles on Rock, Paper, Scissors are a better use of newsprint?
Love,
John
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