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Human Perspectives on the GLOBAL WATER CRISIS

Human Perspectives on the GLOBAL WATER CRISIS

Human perspectives ON THE GLOBAL CRISIS

WaterViews TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION BY PETER SWINBURN 3 FOREWARD BY JASON MORRISON 4 OVERVIEW 5

CANADA 6 8 10 12 14 UNITED KINGDOM 16 THIS PAGE: Approximately 63 billion tons of wastewater flow into China’s every year. in 18 nearly 90 percent of Chinese are polluted. More than three-quarters of water in urban areas is unfit for drinking or . © 2009 Greg Girard/Contact Press Images for Circle of Blue. ACROSS THE GLOBE 20 COVER PHOTO: A seven-year-old boy waits his turn to collect water outside his home in Sanjay Colony, ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPHERS 21 a slum area in North West Delhi, India. With no drainage system to serve the community, and rainwater mix on the streets of the neighborhood. © 2009 Anita Khemka/Photoink/Contact Press CONCLUSION 22 Images for Circle of Blue.

2 “Critical to our future”

A GLOBAL CHALLENGE THAT MERITS OUR FULL ATTENTION

Of all the ’s water, less than three percent is fresh and most of what the world’s largest beer companies to responsibly manage its also constitutes is locked in glacial or . That leaves less than one influence citizens around the world to secure their fresh water . percent available for use. Compounding the problem is global , which contributes to , storms and flooding, and affects water Molson Coors’ commitment to water is based on our heritage and brewing quality in ways we are only starting to understand. expertise. Fresh water is what brought John Molson to the banks of the St. Lawrence River in Montreal, and Adolph Coors to Clear Creek in Golden, Colorado. And, it “The very same values that motivate Molson Coors understands that was the beneath Burton-on-Trent that gave birth to the British brewing one of the world’s largest beer corporations play a critical role in leading industry we know today. It’s the #1 ingredient in beer. The quality of our beer is tied companies to responsibly manage its the transition to a new era in which water directly to the quality of the water we use to produce it. Molson Coors has more water supply also influence citizens quality is respected and water management than 350 years of experience developing and implementing real-world solutions around the world to secure their practices improve so that every person on for water use and conservation in our breweries and watersheds. Preserving clean fresh .” the planet enjoys ready access to clean, water and ensuring it as a sustainable is not only integral to our history, it fresh water. That’s why we have supported is critical to our future. the Circle of Blue/GlobeScan survey, a pioneering piece of global research that “Water issues merit the full provides the first clear evidence that people around the world share similar In addition to highlighting key principles of attention of corporations in views about the severity of the water crisis and how to achieve solutions. accountability and collaboration, this survey order to have a real impact.” demonstrates that water issues merit the The survey reached important conclusions about how the world thinks about full attention of corporations in order to have a real impact. At Molson Coors, we water by asking a sample of 15,000 people in 15 countries a number of direct continue to address water in the communities where we operate and questions. What worried them most about water? Was scarcity, , remain guided by the belief that every person in the world should have access to or some other factor the most severe water problem they faced? Who did water that is as fresh as the water we use to brew our beers. they think was responsible for solving the problem? Our goal in sponsoring the survey was to clarify public attitudes about risks to the water supply and The survey findings that follow, though humbling at times, only serve to reinforce motivate individuals, non-profits, and corporations—including our own our commitment, and hopefully that of all corporations to contribute experience company—to engage and collaborate on solutions. and resources, to listen and learn from others, and work collaboratively to solve one of the century’s greatest challenges. Like beer, which is often locally brewed and influenced by local market dynamics, the solutions to global water issues are also locally based and require people to work together in their watersheds and communities. The Circle of PETER SWINBURN Blue/Globescan survey found that the very same values that motivate one of CEO, MOLSON COORS BREWING COMPANY

3 “People globally believe water is a key concern”

DETAILS OF PIONEERING SURVEY REVEAL CLEAR RECKONING AND ABIDING HUMANITY

People around the world identify access to clean water business success. These firms understand that the era of The survey findings underscore the public’s desire to pursue as the most serious environmental challenge facing the easy access to cheap, clean water has ended. They recognize a new direction in managing the world’s water resources planet today. Of the 15,000 people from 15 countries the need to more closely consider limited supplies and the and to bring more partners and more information to the surveyed by Circle of Blue and GlobeScan, over 70 percent implications of their water use and discharge on watersheds, table. In every country surveyed there was significant public found and shortages of fresh water to be , and communities. appetite for more knowledge about how to solve the crisis. “very serious” problems. Pronounced in key geographic regions, How does the Circle of Blue/GlobeScan survey help solve along with heightened expectations among important “Public attitudes about water Two other salient results these and the many other facets of the freshwater crisis? It stakeholders—particularly consumers and investors—also transcend individuals’ local of the survey, the first of its demonstrates how global water problems are a priority for has produced a compelling business case for companies to circumstances.” kind ever conducted, also companies and the general public. The survey highlights the actively pursue corporate water as a strategy merit special attention. shared interest in finding proactive and transparent actions that drives down water-related impacts and market risks. The first is that public attitudes about water transcend that address the fresh water crisis. It also alerts the many individuals’ local circumstances and instead are focused business, , and research organizations working In sum, people globally believe water is a key concern, that on an altruistic concern for those suffering from water on water issues they are on the right track. the private sector has an important role to play in solving shortages. Over 90 percent of the survey’s respondents global water challenges, and that companies and others believe that adequate and affordable for all The Pacific Institute focuses “We are convinced that need to provide more information about what can be done people is important. The second is that almost 80 percent of a good share of its work on companies can and to advance a better water future. Taken together, the Circle those surveyed believe that solving drinking water problems the nexus between corporate must play a vital role.” of Blue/GlobeScan survey clarifies the public case for taking will require significant help from companies. water risk and stewardship. much better care of Earth’s fresh water. We are convinced that companies can and must play a Both findings are consistent with the Pacific Institute’s vital role in developing and deploying water management research in recent years. Our work has explored the various practices that are socially equitable and environmentally JASON MORRISON water-related risks—physical, regulatory, and financial— sustainable. Not only does this help improve access to PROGRAM DIRECTOR, PACIFIC INSTITUTE that companies face, along with the array of stewardship clean water for the world’s people, it also holds the greatest platforms, strategies, and tools that are emerging to reduce promise for companies seeking to drive down water-related them. Leading companies have identified water stewardship risk and ensure that they stay in business. All of these are as a strategic factor that is central to their long-term goals that citizens around the world can get behind.

4 METHODOLOGY PARTICIPATING COUNTRIES

The Circle of Blue/GlobeScan survey polled a representative sample of 15,000 adults in 15 countries and 500 adults in seven “deep dive” countries. Those seven were: , China, India, Mexico, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The other eight countries were Brazil, Chile, France, Germany, Kenya, Nigeria, the Philippines, and Turkey. Face-to-face and telephone interviews occurred between June 24, 2009, and August 3, 2009. Generally accepted research standards were employed in each country and the sample error was 3.1 percent to 4.4 percent, 19 times out of 20. RUSSIA CANADA UK WATER CONCERN INDEX GERMANY FRANCE USA TURKEY An index score measuring concern CHINA MEX 7.03 about water issues is computed by IND 6.99 aggregating the concerns expressed MEXICO INDIA about each of the four prompted PHILIPPINES water issues: water pollution, lack CHI 6.72 of safe drinking water, lack of water NIGERIA CAN 6.71 AVERAGE for , and high cost of 6.69 KENYA water. The average score by country BRAZIL UK 6.58 is used to illustrate the relative USA 6.53 positioning of countries in terms of concern for water issues. CHILE RUS 6.30 Note: Sample size n=500 in all countries

SERIOUSNESS OF WATER PROBLEMS AVERAGE OF 15 COUNTRIES

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES BY RANK WATER POLLUTION SHORTAGES OF FRESH WATER 1. WATER POLLUTION 2. FRESH WATER SHORTAGES 3. DEPLETION OF NATURAL RESOURCES 4. 72% 71% 5. LOSS OF ANIMAL/ 21% 4% 1% 20% 6% 6. CLIMATE CHANGE/GLOBAL WARMING 7. AUTOMOBILE EMISSIONS

“VERY SERIOUS” | AVERAGE OF 15 COUNTRIES | 2009 Please tell me if you are very concerned, somewhat concerned, not very concerned or not at all concerned about each of the following issues? Note: Sample size n=1,000 in all countries

5 FOUR BARRELS OF WATER ARE NEEDED TO PRODUCE ONE BARREL OF tar oil

6 FACING PAGE: Refining earth to oil, raw CANADA BY THE NUMBERS industry transforms the natural of the Athabasca tar sands in Fort McMurray, 33,487,208 Alberta, Canada. This $90 billion project, the 80% URBAN 20% RURAL world’s largest industrial operation, has turned GDP PER CAPITA $39,300 US the region’s boreal into surface mines and tailings . © Edward Burtynsky, courtesy ACCESS TO SAFE DRINKING WATER 100% URBAN 99% RURAL Hasted Hunt Kraeutler, New York/Nicholas ACCESS TO 100% URBAN 99% RURAL Metivier Gallery, Toronto. DAILY DOMESTIC WATER USE 759 L/DAY WATER USE BY SECTOR 20% DOMESTIC 69% INDUSTRIAL 12% AGRICULTURAL

Canada

IN WATER-RICH CANADA, INDUSTRY AND OVERUSE RAISE CONCERNS

Only Brazil and Russia have more fresh water than Canada. But Nearly all Canadians surveyed—97 percent—agree that it is that the government should bear complete responsibility. it is wrong to assume that is not an issue. Canada important for people to have adequate, affordable drinking More than four in ten believe water companies and large faces a crisis of overuse. Canada is second in the world in total water. Ninety-four percent worry that fresh water shortages companies generally should be held responsible. While per capita withdrawal, at 3,797 liters a day, up 25 percent in the will become an increasingly severe problem worldwide. Canadian respondents do not place primary responsibility on last 20 years. Industry is the largest water consumer—69 percent. large companies, 82 percent believe that companies need to Example: Northern Alberta’s oil sands industry uses up to four Majorities demonstrate concern for particular water issues be a part of the clean water solution. barrels of fresh water for every barrel of oil it produces. in Canada. Concern is primarily around water pollution—67 percent are very concerned—and the lack of safe drinking Canadians regard their water security as a serious issue, water—65 percent. according to the Circle of Blue/GlobeScan survey. They hold government most responsible for community water supply, and When asked who should be held responsible for ensuring 82 percent of Canadians think large companies should play a role. clean water in communities, half of Canadians believe

7 CHINA BY THE NUMBERS

POPULATION 1,338,612,968 DEMOGRAPHY 43% URBAN 57% RURAL GDP PER CAPITA $6,000 US ACCESS TO SAFE DRINKING WATER 98% URBAN 81% RURAL ACCESS TO SANITATION 74% URBAN 59% RURAL DAILY DOMESTIC WATER USE 80 L/DAY WATER USE BY SECTOR 7% DOMESTIC 26% INDUSTRIAL 68% AGRICULTURAL

China

SERIOUS WATER CONTAMINATION CHALLENGES CHINA’S DEVELOPMENT

China faces severe impediments to its emergence as a pollution to be a very serious problem in China, and 59 The country uses nearly four times more water than the global industrial and economic power, many of them percent said they are very concerned about the lack of world’s average to produce goods worth $10,000, and 20 directly connected to the country’s unstable access to safe drinking water. times the amount of water used in and for the available supplies of clean fresh water. same product. When asked who should be responsible for ensuring clean Aquifers in nearly 90 percent of Chinese cities are water in communities, Chinese respondents point to Perhaps reflecting the attitude of a people overseen by polluted. More than three-quarters of river water in urban government (48 percent) and water companies (45 percent). a centralized government, Chinese residents do not feel areas is unfit for drinking or fishing. Some 700 million especially empowered to address water problems. Sixty- Chinese drink water contaminated with animal or human Agriculture and intense industrial use exacerbate China’s two percent of Chinese respondents agree that water . Cities like and Tianjin could run out of water problems. China grows a vast amount of water- shortages are too big of a problem for individuals to be water in five-to-seven years, says China water expert and intensive crops, including rice and wheat. Water tables under able to contribute to the solution, while 34 percent believe environmentalist Ma Jun. the Plain, a region that produces half of China’s individuals can make a difference. Only 29 percent of wheat and one third of China’s corn, are falling at a rate of respondents feel that large companies should be held It is no wonder that the Circle of Blue/GlobeScan survey three meters per year. responsible. found that 67 percent of respondents consider water

8 Wang Rui, 21, washes her face after spending the day after work watering the beans, corn, and flower seeds in her parents’ field in the Wulanjiqi village, west of Baotou, Inner Mongolia. The family has no running water in the house and has to collect, store, and boil water from a nearby . © 2009 Greg Girard/Contact Press Images for Circle of Blue.

SOME 700 MILLION CHINESE DRINK WATER CONTAMINATED WITH ANIMAL OR human waste

9 NEARLY TWO-THIRDS OF INDIA’S 1.2 BILLION PEOPLE do not have a toilet

10 TOP ROW, FROM LEFT: 1) Families collect water INDIA BY THE NUMBERS from a tanker supplied by the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) in Mangolpuri. 2) Ram Bihari spends up to four hours a day POPULATION 1,166,079,217 collecting valuables thrown as offerings into the holy DEMOGRAPHY 29% URBAN 71% RURAL river. 3) Women and children wait for a trickle to fill their GDP PER CAPITA $2,800 US buckets and containers with water in a slum area in Delhi, India. BOTTOM: New Delhi dumps more than half of its ACCESS TO SAFE DRINKING WATER 96% URBAN 86% RURAL waste into the Yamuna, one of the most polluted rivers in ACCESS TO SANITATION 52% URBAN 18% RURAL the world. © 2009 Anita Khemka/Photoink/Contact Press DAILY DOMESTIC WATER USE 128 L/DAY Images for Circle of Blue. WATER USE BY SECTOR 8% DOMESTIC 5% INDUSTRIAL 86% AGRICULTURAL

India

INDIA’S PEOPLE CRY OUT FOR CLEAN WATER

Compared to other , Indians gets just over four hours of access to clean fresh water a asked who should be held responsible for ensuring consider water pollution and fresh water shortages to day. Along the , the sacred river of Hinduism, two clean water in communities, 44 percent of Indians be the most serious. But Indians do not feel especially million bathers cleanse themselves daily in an ablution place primary responsibility on the government. empowered. Three-quarters of the respondents to the of fecal , untreated sewage, chemical runoff, and Circle of Blue/GlobeScan survey say they need more partially cremated corpses. Approximately one-third of respondents believe information to be able to help protect water. large companies, water companies, and individual is still viewed with remarkable social citizens bear complete responsibility. Little Indians, though, hold government the most responsible acceptance. Seven hundred million people in India do not responsibility is placed on farmers and NGOs. for community water supply. And for good reason. Seven have a toilet. The World Organization estimates While Indians do not place primary responsibility years ago an Indian government report found that in that 700,000 Indians die each year of diarrhea. Other on large companies, 44 percent believe that the four largest cities barely 30 percent of wastewater is waterborne or water-contact illnesses include hepatitis companies need to be a part of the solution. treated before disposal. The rest ends up in the rivers, A and E, typhoid fever, and leptospirosis. Mosquito-borne , and that provide drinking water to diseases like malaria and dengue fever are common. more than 60 million people. Seventy-one percent of Indians who responded to the Circle It’s gotten worse since, according to studies by the of Blue/GlobeScan survey agree that it is important for all government and advocacy groups. The average resident people to have adequate, affordable drinking water. When

11 MEXICO BY THE NUMBERS

POPULATION 111,211,789 DEMOGRAPHY 77% URBAN 23% RURAL GDP PER CAPITA $14,200 US ACCESS TO SAFE DRINKING WATER 98% URBAN 85% RURAL ACCESS TO SANITATION 91% URBAN 48% RURAL DAILY DOMESTIC WATER USE 340 L/DAY WATER USE BY SECTOR 17% DOMESTIC 5% INDUSTRIAL 77% AGRICULTURAL

Mexico

WATER SHORTAGE, CONTAMINATION PROD MEXICANS TO LOOK TO GOVERNMENT FOR ANSWERS

Mexico’s capacity to meet the water demands of its 111 million people, the will not come close to solving Mexico’s fresh water crisis. world’s 12th largest nation, is under challenge like never before. The central and northern states of Mexico house the large majority of the population but contain the minority of the country’s fresh water resources. Less than half of the people living in rural areas in Mexico have access to basic sanitation. The country’s water supply and sewage systems are old and falling Mexico , the third largest in the world, is unable to provide safe apart. Waterborne and vector diseases include malaria, leptospirosis, hepatitis drinking water to all of its 19 million citizens. The huge city, built on a lakebed, A, typhoid, and dengue fevers. Bacterial diarrhea was solely responsible for five thirsts for new water sources. When ’s drinking water supply falls percent of child deaths in 2004. short, water trucks meet needs.

These trends are reflected in how Mexicans responded to the Circle of Blue/ When asked who should be held responsible for ensuring there is clean water GlobeScan survey. Mexicans consider fresh water shortages and water in communities, 80 percent of Mexicans said they believe the government pollution to be the most serious environmental problem affecting their . should bear complete responsibility. A majority of Mexicans, though, said that Public concern centers primarily around the lack of safe drinking water—84 individuals have the ability to contribute solutions to the country’s shortage of percent of those surveyed said they are very concerned. clean, fresh water.

Mexico’s response to that concern is a publicly financed program of building expensive and -draining desalination . It ranks 12th in the world in the number of such plants, which convert into drinking water.

12 CLOCKWISE, FROM LEFT: 1) Mexican Army units help residents shovel raw sewage after an open canal flooded El Molino. 2) After waiting several days for relief, mothers and children gather water at a 600-liter tank that four families share in El Molino. 3) Valentìn Pèrez Hernadez keeps plants healthy in a quiet enclave of multi-million dollar homes in Mexico City. Water is scarce, however, in the tiny apartment he rents with family members just eight miles away from his job. 4) Roman Ricaño Rios’s municipal water is often murky with sediment and fecal matter. He is one of millions in Mexico City’s metropolitan area who depend on private water vendors for drinking water. © 2009 Janet Jarman/ Contact Press Images for Circle of Blue.

MEXICO CITY WATER SHORTAGES, CONTAMINATION, AND raw sewage spills ARE A DAILY DISRUPTION

13 TOP: A young bride poses for a photo under the "Hero" boat in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. BOTTOM ROW, FROM LEFT: 1) Near Nizhny Novgorod, a dilapidated boat lies in a stagnant in the Russian village of Bezvodnoye, whose name translates to "without water." 2) A fisherman rides a boat on the polluted Volga River at Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. 3) An integral part of the daily lives of its riparian cities, the Volga also lives—majestic and proud—in Russian poetry, music, literature, art, and history. © 2009 James Hill/Contact Press Images for Circle of Blue.

THE VOLGA, MAJESTIC AND PROUD, ATTRACTS BRIDES TO A RIVERBANK MARRED BY A legacy of pollution

14 RUSSIA BY THE NUMBERS

POPULATION 140,041,247 DEMOGRAPHY 73% URBAN 27% RURAL GDP PER CAPITA $15,800 US ACCESS TO SAFE DRINKING WATER 100% URBAN 88% RURAL ACCESS TO SANITATION 93% URBAN 70% RURAL DAILY DOMESTIC WATER USE 279 L/DAY WATER USE BY SECTOR 19% DOMESTIC 63% INDUSTRIAL 18% AGRICULTURAL

Russia

DESPITE MOTHERLODE OF FRESH WATER, RUSSIANS WORRY ABOUT HOW CLEAN AND HOW MUCH

Considering its other significant environmental issues— longest river, about two million fresh water and saltwater The Amur and the Volga are the most heavily contaminated nuclear contamination, vast industrial degradation, fearsome lakes, and 10 million square kilometers of permafrost. rivers. The Techa River in the southern Ural suffers air pollution, and rampant toxic chemical persistence— Russia’s giant rivers, also called “little mothers,” weave and from intense radioactive pollution. Russians nevertheless regard water pollution to be the most braid through the vastness of the Russian steppe, tundra, and serious. And even in a nation with enormous fresh water taiga in Europe and . Existing water is largely outdated, resulting in reserves, Russians told the Circle of Blue/GlobeScan pollsters frequent breakdowns. About $459 billion is needed to complete that they are concerned about shortages. In remote southern Siberia, Baikal—the world’s largest, the necessary upgrades and extensions of water and sanitation deepest, and oldest lake—contains 20 percent of the planet’s infrastructure in Russia by 2020, according to the . The responses to the global survey from Russia were surface fresh water and 80 percent of Russia’s fresh water. surprising and telling. The largest country in the world But in the more densely populated European Russia, 35 When asked who should be held responsible for ensuring clean geographically, Russia possesses one-third of the planet’s percent to 60 percent of potable water does not meet sanitary water in communities, 65 percent of the Russians surveyed place fresh water, second only to Brazil. Spanning the whole of requirements as a result of high industrialization and the primary responsibility on water companies. Less than half—47% northern Asia and 11 time zones, the country accommodates legacy of the Soviet and transitional periods. —say responsibility lies with the government. five main drainage basins, the world’s largest lake, Europe’s

15 U.K. BY THE NUMBERS

POPULATION 61,113,205 DEMOGRAPHY 90% URBAN 10% RURAL GDP PER CAPITA $36,600 US ACCESS TO SAFE DRINKING WATER 100% URBAN 100% RURAL ACCESS TO SANITATION 100% URBAN 100% RURAL DAILY DOMESTIC WATER USE 119 L/DAY WATER USE BY SECTOR 22% DOMESTIC 75% INDUSTRIAL 3% AGRICULTURAL

United Kingdom

IN U.K., WHERE WATER SUPPLY IS ASSURED, OTHER ISSUES TAKE PRECEDENCE

In the United Kingdom, the depletion of natural resources drinking water is a primary concern—61 percent are very Climate change could reduce the amount of water and the loss of plant and animal species are considered the concerned. Of those surveyed, 53 percent said pollution available by 10 percent to 15 percent by 2020, according most significant environmental problems. Water issues was also a serious issue. to U.K.’s Environment Agency. In 2006, 18 million people are also regarded as serious by Britons, particularly the faced water use restrictions in South East England lack of safe drinking water, according to the Circle of Blue/ The Circle of Blue/GlobeScan findings reflect the United because of droughts. A year later, the Thames River broke GlobeScan survey. With 90 percent of Britain’s population Kingdom’s capacity to ensure its citizens a clean and safe its banks as a result of heavy . living in cities, the demand for water will grow. In 2008 the supply of fresh water. The ability of the country to continue average person used at least 160 liters, or about 50 percent its good record, though, is not assured. more than 25 years ago. Government is held less responsible, though 47 percent agree that help from companies is needed The United Kingdom—England, Wales, and to solve drinking water problems. Northern Ireland—is surrounded by saltwater and has a finite supply of fresh water. While Scotland is abundant in When it comes to water, majorities demonstrate concern water, people in England and Wales have only 1,334 cubic for particular issues in the United Kingdom. Lack of safe meters per person a year—less than the hot Mediterranean countries of Italy, Spain, and .

16 TOP: The Victorian sewers, designed by Sir CENTURIES OF MISERY ENDED WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OF Joseph Bazalgette after the Great Stink of 1858, criss-cross the underground. LONDON'S SEWERS, BUT THE U.K'S GOOD WATER RECORD IS Once an architectural masterpiece, the sewers now struggle to serve the eight-million English capital. BOTTOM: Thames Water workers often get around a melee of various piping when they lay the new blue mains still not assured that will replace the Victorian water mains in London designed by Joseph Bazalgette in the 19th century. © 2009 Sam Faulkner/Contact Press Images for Circle of Blue.

17 CLOCKWISE, FROM BOTTOM LEFT: 1) A view along the shore of the desiccating Salton . As new practices in the Imperial decrease the water discharge to the Salton, toxic sediments get exposed, threatening to cause major air pollution in the area. 2) An aerial view of a field in the Imperial Valley which receives water from the Colorado River and uses mainly and furrow irrigation systems. 3) The All-American Canal, the main water conduit from the Colorado River into the Imperial . 4) Larry Gilbert, a lifelong Imperial Valley farmer, stands in his sugarcane field. Local farmers are looking at alternative techniques to conserve water. © 2009 Brent Stirton/Reportage for Getty Images/Circle of Blue.

THE LARGEST IN THE U.S. ARE ONLY half full

18 U.S. BY THE NUMBERS

POPULATION 307,212,123 DEMOGRAPHY 82% URBAN 18% RURAL GDP PER CAPITA $47,000 US ACCESS TO SAFE DRINKING WATER 100% URBAN 94% RURAL ACCESS TO SANITATION 100% URBAN 99% RURAL DAILY DOMESTIC WATER USE 570 L/DAY WATER USE BY SECTOR 13% DOMESTIC 46% INDUSTRIAL 41% AGRICULTURAL

THE LARGEST RESERVOIRS IN THE U.S. ARE ONLY United States half full DIRTY WATER AND SHORTAGES ARE AMERICAN CONCERNS

Americans are particularly worried about two facets of the fresh According to the Government Accountability Office, an When asked who should be held responsible for water crisis: dirty water and the lack of safe drinking water. investigative unit of Congress, at least 36 states anticipate ensuring clean water in communities, 44 percent water shortages in the next five years. Much of California has of Americans believe that water companies should According to the Circle of Blue/GlobeScan survey, 57 percent been declared a emergency. The five-state Colorado bear complete responsibility, while approximately of the Americans interviewed said they are very concerned Plateau is in the ninth year of a drought. 30 percent believe individual citizens should be held about water pollution. Those sentiments are high in the completely responsible. region, where is challenged by Moreover, the Colorado River Basin is over-allocated. States toxic contamination, sedimentation, and overflowing sewage are withdrawing water from the basin at a rate greater than treatment plants. the rate of replenishment. Lake Mead and Lake Powell—the largest reservoirs in the country—are half full. Some scientists Nearly the same number—56 percent—say the lack of safe estimate they could be empty within 20 years. drinking is a serious concern. Just a third of Americans—35 percent—say the cost of water is worrisome. The Ogallala , which supplies water to the grain farmers of the Great Plains, is steadily being drained. And packs What’s more, the survey found that public concern about water that feed rivers and lakes in the Rocky West are shortages in the United States has increased since 2003. gradually losing moisture because of global climate change.

19 Across the globe

SURVEY FINDS WATER POLLUTION AND SHORTAGES ARE TOP GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL PRIORITIES

The fierce impediments to clean water and sanitation and the millions of premature deaths from water-related disease are seen as having a greater influence on quality of and the planet than air pollution, species , depletion of natural resources, loss of , and climate change.

“There are a couple of big stories here,” said Rob Kerr, vice president of GlobeScan, and one of the principal researchers of the Circle of Blue/GlobeScan survey. “People would reluctantly accept higher costs to solve the problems. Cost is not the issue with polluted water and lack of safe drinking water.

“And strong majorities see a huge role for government and large companies in solving the fresh water crisis.”

More than 90 percent of the more than 15,000 people polled in 15 countries expressed a conviction that access to clean, fresh water is fundamental, not only for themselves, but for all people. Across the globe, respondents to the Circle The immensity of the global freshwater crisis is visible almost of Blue/GlobeScan survey also said education was essential to help people everywhere, including on the rain-starved Waikool River in understand the dimensions and the urgency of the crisis. southeastern . Photo by J. Carl Ganter/Circle of Blue.

20 ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPHERS

1 ANITA KHEMKA INDIA An English literature graduate, Anita 4 SAM FAULKNER UNITED KINGDOM After graduating from Khemka began her photography career in 1996. Her oeuvre Kings College London in 1994, Sam Faulkner traveled to has largely been defined by social documentary work— Afghanistan to photograph the forgotten civil between people living with HIV, the mentally challenged, and sexual the former Mujihadeen allies. His pictures won the Ian Parry minorities. Her work has been exhibited in India as well award for young photojournalists, sponsored by the Sunday as in London, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, , Times Magazine. Faulkner has also worked for Figaro, GQ, the Melbourne, and Paris. Independent magazine, GEO, Vogue, the Telegraph magazine, Newsweek, Time, Liberation and Esquire. In the last 10 years, 2 GREG GIRARD CHINA Greg Girard’s photographs have he has traveled extensively to photograph slavery in , appeared in publications such as Time, Newsweek, Fortune, child weddings in Rajasthan, women soldiers in Eritrea, Forbes, Elle, Paris-Match, Stern, Magazine, AIDS orphans in Uganda, the FARC in Colombia, drought and others worldwide. His work has been exhibited in galleries in Mongolia, gangs in Los Angeles, opium in Afghanistan, in , London, Germany, , and New York. voodoo in Haiti, and in America.

3 JAMES HILL RUSSIA James Hill, who was born in London 5 EDWARD BURTYNSKY CANADA Edward Burtynsky is one in 1967, attended Oxford and the London College of Printing of Canada’s most respected photographers. His consummate, before he took up photography. In 1991, he set off for the detail-packed photographs of global industrial Soviet Union, where he worked for over 10 years, first in Kiev, are in the collections of several major museums around then as a Moscow-based contract photographer for The New the world, including the National Gallery of Canada, the York Times. His work from Afghanistan, where he spent three Bibliotèque Nationale in Paris, and the Museum of Modern months in 2001, earned him a nomination for the Pulitzer Art and the Guggenheim Museum in New York. Prize. In 2003 he reported on the war in for the New York Times and Time magazine. In 2005, his images from the Beslan 6 JANET JARMAN MEXICO Janet Jarman is a Mexico-based tragedy won First Prize in General News Stories at World photojournalist. She works extensively in Latin America Press Photo and the award for Feature Photography from the and Asia and previously lived in Japan, England, and Chile. Overseas Press Club of America. Jarman’s photographs have appeared in GEO, the New York Times Magazine, Smithsonian magazine, Traveler, the New York Times, TimeAsia, Newsweek, Fortune, MSNBC.com, and other publications.

7 BRENT STIRTON UNITED STATES Brent Stirton is the senior staff photographer for the assignment division of Getty Images, the largest photographic agency in the world. He specializes in documentary work and is known for his alternative approaches. He travels an average of nine months of the year on assignment. Brent’s work is published by National Geographic magazine, National Geographic Adventure, the New York Times Magazine, the London Sunday Times Magazine, Smithsonian magazine, the Discovery Channel, Newsweek, L'Express, Le Monde 2, Figaro, Paris Match, GQ, GEO, Stern, CNN, and many other respected international titles and news organizations.

21 PERSONAL WATER USE, ACCESSIBILITY, AND GDP BY COUNTRY US IND UK CHI CAN AVERAGE PERSONAL AVERAGE USE (APW) WATER

GDP PER PERSON MEX

UK IND CAN RUS Pop. 61,113,205 Pop. 1,166,079,217 Pop. 33,487,208 GDP US $36,600 GDP US $2,800 GDP US $39,300 Tap water 100% Tap water 19% Tap water 88% APW 119 L/day APW 128 L/day APW 759 L/day

US CHI MEX RUS Pop. 307,212,123 Pop. 1,338,612,968 Pop. 111,211,789 Pop. 140,041,247 GDP US $47,000 GDP US $6,000 GDP US $14,200 GDP US $15,800 WITHOUT WATER Tap water 100% Tap water 69% Tap water 90% Tap water 82% APW 570 L/day APW 80 L/day APW 340 L/day APW 279 L/day WITH WATER

POPULATION

CONSISTENCY AND VARIABILITY

Among the survey’s other consequential findings:

• People around the world view water pollution as • The respondents said that large companies were nearly the most important facet of the fresh water crisis; as responsible as for ensuring clean water; shortages of fresh water are very close behind. nearly eight of 10 respondents from the seven nations Concern about both issues tended to be higher in said that solving drinking water problems “will require developing countries than in developed nations. significant help from companies.”

• In all seven countries where the survey asked • More than 90 percent of the more than 15,000 people more penetrating questions, respondents polled in 15 countries expressed a conviction that Sources: UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme; World Health access to clean, fresh water is fundamental not only for Organization; CIA World Factbook; National and Water consistently said that governments were the most Resources Audit; Ministry of Water Resources, China; FAO responsible for ensuring clean water. themselves but for all people. Aquastat; Eurostat Yearbook; US Geological Survey

22 FRESH WATER USE BY SECTOR

RUSSIA #2 CANADA #3 UNITED STATES #4 #RANK Fresh water reserve ranking

Domestic 63% 69% 46% 41% Industrial Agricultural 19% 18% 20% 12% 13%

CHINA #6 INDIA #9 FRESH WATER USE BY COUNTRY km3/yr

IND 645.84

68% 86% CHI 549.76

7% 26% 8% 5% US 477

MEX 78.22

RUS 76.68

MEXICO #23 UNITED KINGDOM #51 CAN 44.72

UK 11.75

77% 75%

17% 5% 22% 3%

Sources: National Land and Water Resources Audit; Ministry of Water Resources, China; FAO Aquastat; Eurostat Yearbook; US Geological Survey

23 Circle of Blue, based on the 1200 West 11th Street shores of the Great Lakes Traverse City, MI 49684 and founded by prominent +1.202.351.6870 journalists and scientists, is [email protected] the leading news organization www.circleofblue.org in the world covering the global freshwater crisis.

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CIRCLE OF BLUE MOLSON COORS BREWING COMPANY J. Carl Ganter, Executive Director Bart Alexander, Global Vice President, Corporate Responsibility Keith Schneider, Senior Editor Mike Glade, Director, Water Resources Aaron Jaffe, Project Manager Dan Lewis, Chief Public Affairs Officer Nadya Ivanova, Project Manager Eric Daigh, Senior Producer PACIFIC INSTITUTE Karen Mullarkey, Photo Editor , President Aubrey Parker, Data Analyst and Reporter Jason Morrison, Program Director Bates, Data Analyst Michael Cohen, Senior Research Associate Cody Pope, Reporter Heather Cooley, Senior Research Associate Connor Boals, Reporter Juliet Christian-Smith, Senior Research Associate Alex Lane, Reporter SPECIAL ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Hannah Nester, Graphic Designer Alon Halevy and the Fusion Tables Team, Google GLOBESCAN Måns Hultman, Shima Nakazawa, Anthony Deighton and Rob Kerr, Vice President Chuck Bannon, QlikTech Chris Coulter, Vice President, Strategy and Insights Caroline Cortizo, Field Producer, London Oliver Martin, Director, Global Development Jeffrey Smith, Contact Press Images Gwen Cottle, Research Associate Robert Pledge, Contact Press Images Kerry McCarthy, Getty Images DESIGN Peggy Willette, Getty Images Tandem Design, Traverse City www.tandemthinking.com

LEFT: A Chinese family recreationally on the shores of the in Huijihe, west of Baotou in Inner Mongolia. The river carries effluent from the paper mills and fertilizer factories lined on its banks and along its tributaries in this heavily industrialized area of China. © 2009 Greg Girard/Contact Press Images for Circle of Blue.

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