From my brain to yours

Lack of clean water and proper sanitation is a leading cause of easily preventable disease around the globe.  Some 1.1 billion people in developing countries have inadequate access to water, and 2.6 billion lack basic sanitation.

New technology will help to alleviate this problem.  Low cost solutions, like the SODIS method which purifies water by leaving plastic bottles in the sun, is one such method.  As well, there is the “UV Waterworks” system that provides a very cheap source of clean water for entire communities.

It is estimated that half the population in the poorest countries are sick with some type of dirty-water related health issue.  If they were no longer sick, they would be far more productive.  Providing clean water for the billions who currently go without with be a huge boon to developing nations general well-being and economy, helping them to help themselves.

Many NGO and governmental organizations are working to alleviate the clean-water crisis.  Once such organization is the Carter Center.  The Carter Center, founded by former US Prez Jimmy Carter, is an organization committed to “advancing human rights and alleviating unnecessary human suffering”.  They promote excellent ideals: waging peace, fighting disease, building hope.

Here are two videos highlighting their work  to prevent guinea worms and river blindness by bringing about clean water solutions.  The reported cases of both of these diseases are on the decline, which is excellent.