Water Ways September 2023

WATER WAYS Official Magazine of Youth for Global Health & Social Justice

Volume 3

Number 9

CELEBRATING INTERNATIONAL PEACE DAY

BIODIVERSITY AND THE WORLD'S POOREST PEOPLE

INTRODUCNG HANNAH ROSE

WATER WAYS ASSISTANT EDITOR

September 2023

PANAMA CANAL MUST ADAPT OR DIE

CONTENTS 2 Editor's Note 6 Assistant Editor Hannah Rose

8 For Every Goliath There is a Stone Chaplain‘s Corner 6 International Peace Day

9 All About Jordan A Country in Water Crisis

21 Biodiversity Loss Threatens the World‘s Poorest People Most

14 Panama Canal One of the seven wonders of the modern world. Built to dramatically decrease the travel time for ships between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean sea.

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Water Ways Magazine

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Editors Note

“You Are Not a Drop in the Ocean; You Are the Entire Ocean in a Drop.”

Jalal al-Din Muhammad Rumi

The root of the word “equality” is from the Latin meaning “even or level,” as in, “leveling the playing field.” In other words, it means that everyone has an even chance — or even … a chance.

Too often when we talk about social equality, people think it’s about sanding everyone down so they look or sound or want the same. Sadly, that is an interpretation that is too wrong and too sad.

What equality is really about is not protecting the rights of some but protecting the rights of all. Or as the fabulous Bette Midler reminds us, “Be yourself; if you’re not yourself, you’re a bore.”

The poet Rumi reminds us, “You are not a drop in the ocean; you are the entire ocean in a drop.”

For any of us to make peace with and respect the individuality of others is not possible if we do not accept and make peace with our own individuality … and our individual struggles and triumphs. Surely it is wise to acknowledge that while our struggles and triumphs may have a common name, our experience of them is individual.

Denying the equality of others is self-abusive at its root and is a bitter fruit that is rotten before it is ripe.

This world is not a gift from the past; it is something we have borrowed from our children. The future our children inherit will either treat them equally or treat them all with equal unfairness.

The mythological scales of justice are held by a figure whose eyes are masked. That doesn’t mean that justice is blind, but rather justice witnesses that if we don’t treat each other equally it is because we are already blinded by our prejudices.

Give the person next to you the right to be who they are. Who knows, they may treat you the same. And then Louis Armstrong will have it right. It will be a wonderful world.

Sheryl Simmons Sheryl Simmons Editor-in-Chief

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Grace is finding a waterfall when you were only looking for a stream

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Assistant Editor Water Ways Magazine

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Water Ways Flows with Change Hannah Rose Y4GH Ambassador Assistant Editor Water Ways Magazine I was born and raised in Harare Zimbabwe on 22 February 2004. My family is of mixed ethnicity, which accounts for my rich culture, deep sense of family values, and strong relational ties. Due to economic challenges, we moved from Zimbabwe to South Africa in 2016, where I completed my high school education. Moving to countries, cities, and schools at an early age, has given me the opportunity to experience social and cultural diversity and has developed not only my confidence in who I am but also my appreciation and respect for cultural differences. This in turn has enabled me to build many friendships across the social and gender divide. My last years of high school were truly a great experience. I was able to participate in numerous outreach projects all of which were community based. I have a passion for helping others and firmly believe in my generation proactively giving back to our communities. A particular highlight of my last year of high school (2022), was an outreach project to create a cleaner environment. I was honored by my school election, to lead in a clean-up initiative at a nature reserve and water catchment area. The area had become badly polluted, posing a health and safety hazard to the community, and the wildlife. Seeing how my environment is deteriorating due to poverty,

unemployment, and corruption, have saddened me and given me a determination to advocate for social justice and environmental sustainability.

My goal is to study Biochemical Science, making a difference for a better world.

“As we start a new year for Y4GH Ambassadors, we are also starting a new era for the magazine,” said Editor-inChief Dr. Sheryl Simmons. “Hannah has a passion for making a difference in the lives of marginalized communities as they struggle for access to clean water and sanitation and other human rights.”

As assistant editor, Hannah will focus her first six months on increasing the Water Ways reading audience, seeking original submissions, interviews with water advocates, and human interest stories from those personally affected by the water crisis.

If you have a story idea about your community collaborations, or people doing extraordinary or innovative work in the water sector or advocacy, please do not hesitate to share that idea!

Contact Hannah directly at h.rose@y4gh.com to pitch your story or congratulate her as the newest member of the Water Ways team.

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The story begins seemingly a hopeless case. Brave men, highly trained and skilled in the art of combat, face what they perceive to be an insurmountable situation. Goliath is after all indestructible, an undefeatable foe right? Like these men, we too hold our arms up in despair and we gasp in horror as we witness the world water crisis upon us. What now, what are we to do? Further into the story, we see it is a young country boy, an unlikely contender who will flip the script with nothing more than a pebble and a paradigm shift. The boy makes no room for doubt, he harnesses his courage, draws on his faith, commits to the abilities bestowed upon him by his Divine creator, and with one shot floors Goliath, the game is over!

Ambassadors, Youth For Global Health is your sling, your lens to see life from a perspective for change, and you are both the boy and the stone. You have been lovingly, individually, and carefully crafted, for a time such as this. You have brought your gifts to the table and collectively you are a force to be reckoned with. Believe in yourselves, and dig deep, no notable problems are fixed overnight or easily. We pool our gifts and we find solutions because we as Y4GH are Spirit lead game changers.

You’ve got this team, go to it!

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“Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him.”

1 Samuel 1:17

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The Peace Bell was donated by the United Nations Association of Japan in 1954. It has become tradition to ring the bell twice a year: on the first day of spring, at the Vernal Equinox, and on 21 September to celebrate the International Day for Peace.

PHOTO:UN Photo/Manuel Elías

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE Each year the International Day of Peace (IDP) is observed around the world on 21 September. The UN General Assembly has declared this as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, through observing 24 hours of non-violence and cease-fire. Never has our world needed peace more.

This year’s theme is Actions for Peace: Our Ambition for the #GlobalGoals. It is a call to action that recognizes our individual and collective responsibility to foster peace. Fostering peace contributes to the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals will create a culture of peace for all.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said, “Peace is needed today more than ever. War and conflict are unleashing devastation, poverty, and hunger, and driving tens of millions of people from their homes. Climate chaos is all around. And even peaceful countries are gripped by gaping inequalities and political polarization.”

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2023 marks the mid-point in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals. The 2023 observance of the International Day of Peace coincides with the SDG summit (18 – 19 September) to mark the mid-point milestone.

The SDGs aim to bring us closer to having more peaceful, just, and inclusive societies, free from fear and violence. But without the buy-in and contribution of a wide range of actors including the 1.2 billion young people alive, the goals will not be achieved. We invite you to join the United Nations’ call to take action for peace: fight inequality, drive action on climate change, and promote and protect human rights.

2023 is also the 75th anniversaries of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Genocide. IDP 2023 encourages all youth to be ambitious in their engagement as positive and constructive social agents, to join the movement to reach the SDGs and contribute to building sustainable peace. Together we can help to lead our world towards a greener, more equitable, just, and secure future for all.

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All About Jordan A Country in Water Crisis

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Getting to know the Country.

Jordan, a land of rich history and natural beauty, faces a pressing issue that threatens its sustainability and future growth: the water crisis. With its arid climate and rapidly growing urban population, Jordans struggle to secure a reliable and accessible water supply has garnered attention on both levels. The intersection of population displacement and water scarcity presents a complex challenge that Jordan is all to familiar with. As a country that has taken in a significant number of refugees from neighboring conflict zones, Jordans efforts to provide refuge also intersect with its own water crisis. In this article, we delve into the intricacies of the Jordan city water crisis, examining its causes, impacts, the intricate dynamics between refugees and the ongoing water scarcity issue in Jordan, shedding light on the impacts, challenges and potential solutions.

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Impact On Water Resources The presence of refugees exacerbates Jordan's water crisis in several ways. As displaced populations settle in host communities, the demand of water increases significantly. Water infrastructure, is already under pressure, must now accommodate additional users. Refugee camps, though often equipped with basic water and sanitation facilities, can strain local resources and contribute to groundwater depletion.

The Water Challenge Jordan is one of the most water-scarce countries in the world, with an average of annual rainfall of less than 6 inches. Jordan's water scarcity is rooted in its arid climate and limited freshwater resources. The country's rapid growth, urbanization and inefficient water management practices further strain on the available water supply, which intensifies this challenge, as the majority of the population now resides in cities where water demand outpaces supply. The over extraction of groundwater, limited surface water sources, an inefficient water management practices have exacerbated the situation, leading to a precarious balance between consumption and availability. The gap between demand and supply is pronounced, promoting the need for innovative solutions to sustain the water needs of both its native population and the influx of refugees.

The effects of the water crisis are most acutely felt in Jordan's cities, where inadequate water supply disrupts daily life. Residents face irregular water availability, leading to increased financial strain as they purchase expensive bottled water or rely on private water tankers. Inadequate sanitation and hygiene facilities also contribute to health risks, particularly in densely populated urban area.

Strain On Infrastructure Refugee camps, such as Zaatari and Azraq , have been established to provide shelter and services to thousands of displaced individuals. These camps require water for drinking, sanitation, and hygiene, putting further pressure on Jordan's already stretched water infrastructure. Managing the additional load while maintaining services for both refugees and host communities is a formidable challenge.

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Contamination Concerns The concentration of people in refugee camps can lead to improper disposal of waste and inadequate sanitation facilities, potentially polluting groundwater and surface water sources. This contamination poses risks to both refugees and the local population, as clean water sources become compromised.

Integration And Sustainable Management As refugees become part of host communities, it's essential to integrate them into sustainable urban planning. Encouraging economic activities that require less water, providing training in water efficient agricultural practices, and promoting a cultural of water conservation are steps towards a more sustainable future.

An integral part of addressing the water crisis involves implementing sustainable water management strategies. Rainwater harvesting, wastewater treatment, and recycling initiatives are gaining traction, helping to augment available water resources. Moreover, improving public awareness about water conservation plays a crucial role fostering a culture of responsible water usage.

International Cooperation Jordan's water crisis is not unique, and countries worldwide are facing similar challenges due to climate change and population growth.

International cooperation and knowledge - sharing are essential to finding solutions that can be adapted to various contexts.

Challenge Ahead While progress is being made, significant challenges remain. Balancing the needs of a growing population with available resources requires innovative policies and collaborative efforts. Socio- economic disparities also need to be addressed, ensuring that marginalized communities have equitable access to clean water.

The water crisis in Jordan's cities is a complex issue that requires comprehensive solutions.

As the government and stakeholders continue to implement strategies to address the challenge, there is hope that sustainable water management practices and technological innovations will pave the way for a brighter and more water- secure future for the people of Jordan.

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Seeking Solutions

The Reality Of Jordan

Addressing the water crisis in the context of refugees requires a collaborative approach.

International organizations, NGOs, and the Jordanian government are working to develop innovative solutions. Rainwater harvesting, water treatment, and water-saving practices are being implemented to augment water resources and reduce strain on the existing supply.

The influx of refugees into Jordan presents a complex interplay between providing refuge and addressing water scarcity. Balancing the needs of both refugees and host communities requires innovative strategies, international collaboration, and sustainable planning. As Jordan navigates these challenges, the global community must recognize the importance of supporting solutions that safeguard both human rights and environmental sustainability.

Only through concerted efforts can the nexus be effectively addressed.

The Jordanian government, in partnership with international organizations, is implementing a multi-faceted approach to tackle the water crisis.

Desalination projects, which convert seawater into potable water, are being explored along the Red Sea coast. Water desalination for domestic use in Jordan is practically non-existent except for some small household units or factories for bottling water for drinking purposes. Several factories use plants for their own industrial. Investments in water-efficient technologies, such as drip irrigation and water-saving appliances, aim to optimize consumption. Water in the desert represents a significant part of the water budget in Jordan. This water is dispersed over a wide area and, if properly collected, could provide a significant addition to the country's water reserves.

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When the well is dry, we know the worth of water.

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Drought-hit Panama Canal must 'adapt or die' as water levels drop

by Francisco JARA

The canal relies on rainwater to move cargo ships through a series of locks that function like water elevators, raising the vessels up and over the continent between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans

In 2022, an average of 40 ships crossed through the canal a day, a number which has now dropped to 32 to save wate

The 50-mile (80-kilometer) interocean byway moves some six percent of all global maritime commerce, and 2023 revenue is forecast at $4.9 billion.

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Since then, more than a million vessels have transited through the canal, saving them a lengthy journey around the tip of South America.

The Panama Canal, an engineering wonder allowing ships to travel between two oceans, is seeking to adapt to climate change after a biting drought has seen traffic and income dry up.

Meteorologist Alcely Lau told AFP that the country has "observed considerable deficits" in rainfall this year, boosted by El Niño.

The canal relies on rainwater to move ships through a series of locks that function like water elevators, raising the vessels up and over the continent between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

The drought has forced canal administrators to restrict the waterway to ships with a draft of 13,11 meters (43 feet)—which refers to how deep they sit in the water.

However, a water shortage due to low rainfall has forced operators to restrict the number of vessels passing through, which is likely to result in a $200 million drop in earnings in 2024 compared to this year, canal administrator Ricaurte Vasquez said.

In 2022, an average of 40 ships crossed through the canal a day, a number which has now dropped to 32 to save water.

For each ship, 200 million liters of freshwater is used to move it through the locks before being dumped into the sea.

The Pacific warming phenomenon known as El Niño, which can cause drought in some nations and flooding in others, is making the situation worse, meteorologists say.

"This crisis is unusually severe," said Vasquez, adding that the "significant restrictions" would be in place until September next year.

"The big disadvantage that the Panama Canal has as a maritime route, is that we operate with freshwater, while others use seawater," said Vasquez during a presentation to the media.

Due to the draft restrictions, some merchant ships are forced to unload their containers and send the lighter vessels through the canal, while the goods traverse Panama by rail before being reloaded for shipping.

"We have to find other solutions to remain a relevant route for international trade. If we don't adapt, we are going to die."

If the drought and resulting restrictions continue, Vasquez fears shipping companies will "opt for other routes."

This includes the Strait of Magellan—a natural passage at the tip of South America between the mainland and the Tierra del Fuego archipelago.

The 50-mile (80-kilometer) byway moves some six percent of all global maritime commerce, and 2023 revenue is forecast at $4.9 billion, said Vasquez.

"We think that if we find a solution relatively soon, not necessarily an immediate solution but one customers know is on the way, it should alleviate long-term concern," said Vasquez.

The canal opened in 1914 after a monumental construction project through dense jungles and mountains, with workers suffering tropical diseases, intense heat, and rain.

The lack of rain has also increased the salinity of the lakes and rivers that make up the canal's watershed —which also provides water to three cities, including the capital Panama City.

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Located near the entrance of the Panama Canal, Gatun Locks consists of three sets of giant chambers that raise and lower vessels by 85 feet. Gene Sloan, USA Today "Every time we open the gate that leads to the sea, seawater is mixed with fresh water," said Vasquez.

"We have to keep that level of salt water within a certain range, because the water treatment plants do not have desalination capacity," he added.

The dwindling freshwater cannot be replaced with sea water—as used by the Suez Canal which connects the Mediterranean with the Red Sea—as this would require massive excavations.

"Suez was much flatter and it was sand. In our case it is rock and there is a mountain range which is not very high, but it is there and it is a challenge," said Vasquez.

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Biodiversity Loss Threatens the World's Poorest People Most

Hayo, chief of the Pataxo Ha-ha-hae indigenous community, walks toward the Paraopeba River days after the collapse of a mining company dam, near his village in Brumadinho, Brazil, Jan. 29, 2019. | Hayo, chief of the Pataxo Ha-ha-hae indigenous community, walks toward the Paraopeba River days after the collapse of a mining company dam, near his village in Brumadinho, Brazil, Jan. 29, 2019. Environmental groups contend the iron ore mine waste contains high levels of iron oxide that could cause irreversible damage. | Leo Correa/AP

An estimated 844 million people around the world don’t have easy access to clean water.

Roughly 80% of the world’s extreme poor live in rural areas where they often rely on the surrounding land for subsistence farming.

Air pollution, meanwhile, disproportionately affects people in poverty.

The link between biodiversity and humanity’s “health, wealth, and security” is made abundantly clear in the new Living Planet Report 2020, published Wednesday by the World Wildlife Fund and the Institute of Zoology.

“The communities that we consider to be most vulnerable depend more on natural systems and what natural systems produce in terms of clean air, abundant water, [and] food both from the native habitat but also their managed habitat,” Rebecca Shaw, WWF’s chief scientist, told Global Citizen.

“They live much closer to nature than most people in developed countries, therefore they’re much more vulnerable to the loss of biodiversity.

Biodiversity loss has greatly accelerated in recent decades, an ominous trend that threatens all of humanity especially the most vulnerable, marginalized populations. That’s because the services that biodiversity provides — clean air and water, soil that fosters food production, a stable climate, and much more — form the foundation of human society. This biological safety net is more keenly felt in the lives of people who fetch water, till the land, and live hours from the nearest health center.

“They get hit twice — once with climate vulnerability, next with biodiversity vulnerability,” she added, alluding to how climate change primarily affects those living in poverty.

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An Indian roller is pictured in India's Kanha National Park.

The unrestricted exploitation of wildlife has led to the disappearance of many animal species at an alarming rate, destroying earth's biological diversity and upsetting the ecological balance.

Biodiversity loss has greatly accelerated in recent decades, an ominous trend that threatens all of humanity but especially the most vulnerable, marginalized populations. That’s because the services that biodiversity provides — clean air and water, soil that fosters food production, a stable climate, and much more — form the foundation of human society.

“They get hit twice — once with climate vulnerability, next with biodiversity vulnerability,” she added, alluding to how climate change primarily affects those living in poverty.

The report uses the population sizes of 21,000 animal species as a barometer of the broader health of ecosystems. Between 1970 and 2016, mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, and fish populations have declined by an average of 68% as a direct result of human activities.

This biological safety net is more keenly felt in the lives of people who fetch water, till the land, and live hours from the nearest health center.

“Animal populations are a backbone component of a functioning ecosystem,” Shaw said. “[Their decline] is an indicator that we are doing things that are undermining the long-term health of the planet and the long-term health of humanity.”

The link between biodiversity and humanity’s “health, wealth, and security” is made abundantly clear in the new Living Planet Report 2020, published Wednesday by the World Wildlife Fund and the Institute of Zoology.

The report notes that plants are going extinct at a faster rate than animals, while insects are vanishing and soil is being heavily degraded.

“The communities that we consider to be most vulnerable depend more on natural systems and what natural systems produce in terms of clean air, abundant water, [and] food both from the native habitat but also their managed habitat,” Rebecca Shaw, WWF’s chief scientist, told Global Citizen. “They live much closer to nature than most people in developed countries, therefore they’re much more vulnerable to the loss of biodiversity.

The most extreme species declines have occurred in the tropical subregions of the Americas, an area that encompases the Amazon rainforest. At least 20% of the Amazon’s surface area has been lost over the past century. This immensely biodiverse forest has been burned and cleared for livestock grazing, paved over with asphalt roads, gutted and exploded for the extraction of minerals and fossil fuels, and otherwise destroyed and polluted.

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A fisherman is pictured on the Congo River, Lukolela, Democratic Republic of Congo. According to the World Wildlife Fund, the Congo Basin provides food, fresh water and shelter to more than 75 million people.

Image: Ollivier Girard/CIFOR The hundreds of Indigenous communities who live throughout the Amazon and depend upon it for food, water, and shelter, are increasingly being displaced.

Forests elsewhere are facing similar emergencies. Deforestation has accelerated in the Congo Basin, threatening the livelihoods of 80 million people who depend on it for food, water, fuel, and medicine.

The Borneo rainforest has been halved by human activity, a decline that has displaced Indigenous communities.

This pattern is seen in nearly all ecosystems. Wetlands, for example, are a fusion of terrestrial, freshwater, and saltwater environments, creating some of the richest and rarest ecosystems on Earth.

Since 1700, 90% of the world’s wetlands have been destroyed by human activity, according to the report.

The loss of wetlands affects humans in very direct ways. Wetlands foster fisheries that provide an essential source of protein, filter air and water, and buffer coastlines from flooding and storms, Shaw said.

Environmental reports have grown increasingly apocalyptic over the past few years. Plastic waste could soon outweigh fish in the oceans, previously verdant land is turning into desert, the ocean is acidifying, fire tornados have tormented California, and the polar regions are facing bizarre heat waves.

The Living Planet report adds to this grim tally, but it also describes how humanity can overcome these environmental challenges.

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In this Nov. 19, 2015 photo, an Ashaninka indigenous mother and her children bathe in the Pichiquia River in Peru's Junin region. The rivers, most of them contaminated according to government authorities, are the only source of water for the Ashaninka.

Image: Rodrigo Abd/AP

At the root of humanity’s “broken relationship” with nature is an economic model that extracts natural resources at a rate that surpasses the ability of the earth to regenerate itself, pollutes ecosystems with hazardous materials and chemicals, and generally fails to account for the vital services provided by nature.

Countries would need 1.75 Earths to prevent ecological collapse and maintain current levels of resource extraction — which, of course, is not sustainable.

“A deep cultural and systemic shift is urgently needed, one that so far our civilization has failed to embrace: a transition to a society and economic system that values nature,” Marco Lambertini, WWF’s director-general, wrote in the report. “We must rebalance our relationship with the planet to preserve the earth’s amazing diversity of life and enable a just, healthy, and prosperous society — and ultimately to ensure our own survival.”

While it might seem like the current economic system is a runaway train careening toward oblivion, there are signs that countries are beginning to slow down and reevaluate their relationship with nature.

Renewable energy is overtaking fossil fuels, industrial agriculture is giving way to regenerative agriculture, and new global compacts are partly shielding the ocean from greater exploitation. More marine protected areas and wildlife preserves are allowing species to thrive without human interference.

The COVID-19 pandemic has provided a stark illustration of what’s to come if humanity continues to destroy and encroach upon ecosystems and could spur countries to take greater environmental action as a result.

“COVID-19 is a really clear wake-up call that we are destroying the planet at rates that will not only undermine environmental health but also our own health and our economic health,” Shaw said.Countries have already adopted green economic recovery plans that prioritize the health of the environment in the aftermath of the pandemic.

If these policies get implemented on a large enough scale, they could usher in a new chapter of human history — one in which habitats heal, animals and plants rebound, the climate stabilizes, and the human rights of every person on the planet finally become realized.

“The [Global Goals] are linked with the climate agenda and if we begin to implement them in concert, we will do a lot to deliver a sustainable planet for the most vulnerable,” Shaw said. “We cannot meet the [Global Goals] if we don’t take the declines of biodiversity and destruction of the climate seriously.”

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