Canadians believe, we're rich in water. While we possess 20 per cent of the world's freshwatersources, the Mifflins say most of us aren't aware that over half of this water is in northernCanada, inaccessible to 85 per cent of our population. And only seven per cent of our water isrenewable. The rest comes from non-renewable sources, like underground aquifers that aredraining rapidly.We were taken aback to learn that, every year, the water supply in southern Canada decreases byenough to fill 1.5 million Olympic swimming pools, according to Statistics Canada.We know people are more passionate about an issue when they have a personal connection.You're more likely to do something about E. coli, for instance, when it's closing the beach yourkids swim at, or contaminating your tap water.There are simple things we can all do to reconnectwith water. This summer make a canoe trip part of your family vacation, or simply take picnicsby a river or lake.Share a story of a happy memory you have that involves a Canadian waterway.The Lake Ontario Waterkeeper's Watermark Project is collecting these memories for anupcoming film celebrating our national connection to water.Take a selfie posing by a Canadian freshwater lake or river and post it to Instagram with thetag #myhomewaters. Mountain Equipment Coop will donate $5 to the Canadian FreshwaterAlliance for every photo. And check out RBC's Blue Water Project for tips on living a morewater-friendly life.If you want to take your efforts a step further, learn more about the waterresources in your area. Find out where your drinking water comes from, how local waste water istreated--and if it can be reused.Restoring Canadians' connection with water won't solve all our water problems. But it will kickstarta conversation, and hopefully a search for solutions. Brothers Craig and Marc Kielburgerfounded a platform for social change that includes the international charity, Free the Children,the social enterprise, Me to We, and the youth empowerment movement, We Day.Brief Description:Topic 2- Article 2 – Canadian Need More Love & Respect For Waterhttp://www.huffingtonpost.ca/craig-and-marc-kielburger/respect-water_b_7857674.htmlThe main issue of this article has to deal with Canadian’s awareness for our water resources.Many Canadians feel that the world is composed with so much water, that they are taking it foradvantage and not realizing that from this large quantity of water, we possess only 20% of theEarth’s freshwater sources. On top, from this 20%, most of it is located in Northern Canadamaking it inaccessible to approximately 85% of Canada’s population. Canadians need to takethis issue serious and realize how limited we are to fresh water resources. More and more newsand headlines are arising dealing with contaminations of water and closing of bodies of waterdue to sewage leaks, waste and other causes that could be prevented. In addition, to the issue offresh water accessibility, other water-related issues such as droughts in British Columbia and theprairies loom and First Nations grapple to gain access to clean water. Not only are us Canadians7
eing affected but also tourists and others who travel to Canada. Water project groups have beenformed to help spread this issue and educate more Canadian’s about the seriousness of this issue– especially long term. We are well aware that by educating and re-connecting Canadians withthe importance of water sources and usage won’t solve our water problem, but it will lead topossible solutions in the long-term or at least start discussions in ways to resolve this matter tothe best of our ability. I think as Canadian what we can do to help resolve this issue is to takethis issue into consideration by limiting water usage and by not polluting water resources andbeing mindful that these resources are mandatory for survival for not only ourselves, but forplants and animals as well. We need to be mindful when using these sources so we don’t affectothers. By doing so, we can prevent this problem and be able to have more water resourcesavailable in the long term.8
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