THE EDITOR, Sir:
ON MARCH 22, the World Water Council concluded its fourth World Water Forum in Mexico City. Among the most salient points coming out of the forum was the reiteration of the fact that the world was now facing a water crisis.
What this means is that the world's fresh water supply is becoming increasingly scarce, due to the growth in the world population and the rapid industrialisation and urbanization taking place in countries across the globe.
In fact, according to the World Water Council, "the world's population tripled in the 20th century and the use of renewable water resources has grown six fold" (Water Crisis, World Water Council).
HOW SECURE?
It is against this background that I pose the following questions: How secure is Jamaica's fresh water supply?
Are we doing enough to ensure that our people have access to quality fresh water in sufficient quantities for the foreseeable future?
We should note with interest this statement by the World Water Council: "There is a water crisis today. But the crisis is not about having too little water to satisfy our needs. It is a crisis of MANAGING water so badly that billions of people - and the environment - suffer badly." (World Water Vision Report).
The emphasis, therefore, should be on the need to properly manage our water supply in order to ensure that, as we strive for economic development, we do not carelessly deplete our fresh water resources.
After all, in the context of increased scarcity, this would be the prudent thing to do.
I am, etc.,
CHAD COWAN
ccowan81@hotmail.com
Howard University
Washington, D.C., U.S.
