Water - Not a commodity but a human right
At the end of May, our team organised an online event called ‘Generation Tomorrow’ for students in Co. Wicklow and in Nigeria.
The students presented their research and findings on two topics - food waste and water.
Of course we expected differences and this is what made it such a valuable and insightful project. Students in Ireland highlighted the growing concern of water scarcity as well as fantastic tips to help you conserve it. When water is mentioned in environmental terms, conservation springs to mind immediately.
Some students from Nigeria however took a different angle that we hadn’t thought of before, but that is simple and true - that water is an absolute necessity to the human body.
Hydration is vital to our survival. Our brain alone comprises 60% of water and when we are without it, our concentration and mood levels plummet. Our stress and anxiety levels increase and it can contribute to debilitating “brain fog”.
According to the Journal, every minute there are 1 million plastic bottles of water sold around the world and in Ireland alone, 2.5 million plastic bottles are generated every single day in Ireland and 220,000 of those are drinking water bottles alone.
Imagine the volume of plastic that comes from bottled water alone.
So when did the act of hydration - become such a commodity?
Last month, we met with Jennifer from Refill Ireland, an Irish based social enterprise whose mission is to encourage businesses, communities and schools to provide FREE access to drinking water through their ‘hydration hubs’, their ‘Tap Map’ and also refurbishment of older water hydrants in communities.
It was during our chat, that I realised just how commercialised the act of drinking water had become. We discussed advertising for industry giants who have been hugely successful in marketing something that years ago would have been laughable.
There’s no questioning the power behind these ads in influencing people, according to Globe News Wire - “the global Bottled Water Market was estimated at USD 230 Billion in 2019 and is expected to reach USD 400 Billion by 2026. The global Bottled Water Market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8% from 2019 to 2027”.
When did it become so normalised to purchase a bottle of water, sometimes multiple times a day? It’s become an accessory of sorts and people don’t even blink as they hand over money for what is actually a human right.
As quoted by safewater.org “In 2002, the United Nations officially adopted water as a human right. General Comment 15, of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights states the following: “The human right to water entitles everyone to sufficient, safe, acceptable, physically accessible and affordable water for personal and domestic uses.”
Access to drinking water should not be prevented in 2021, it should be promoted. Adding your business to Refill’s Tap Map highlights to the customer, that you are invested in them AND the environment. It shows forward thinking and more importantly it’s just the kind thing to do.
Our elder generation grew up in a society where water hydrants dotted villages and towns and water was available - for FREE. The concept of buying something so readily available, just to throw it away - would be viewed as insanity. And rightly so.
Ordering tap water at dinner is not ‘cheap’ it’s logical! Bringing your keep water bottle with you like you would your keys or wallet - is practical and sustainable! Our mindset MUST shift away from the throwaway culture that currently exists so we can move towards promoting and embracing a circular economy.
As Jennifer says ‘The circular system used in the past by older generations like our grandparents, highlights the smart elders they were’.
https://www.safewater.org/fact-sheets-1/2017/1/23/human-rights
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Who We Are: Fifty Shades Greener
Sustainability with a side of sass!
At Fifty Shades Greener, we’re not your typical sustainability crowd. Here, green isn’t just a color; it’s a lifestyle, and we live it with a bit of cheek and a lot of heart. Our team, a quirky blend of lifelong greenies, seasoned educators, and fresh innovators, believes that every little bit helps and that education is the cornerstone of sustainable change. Born from a simple idea in a hotel’s green team meeting, we've grown into a vibrant community passionate about turning the hospitality world a shade greener. We think greenwashing is as outdated as last season's fashion and are here to ensure sustainability is as authentic as it is actionable. From the early days in Doolin to the bustling workshops of today, our journey has been about making sustainability accessible, understandable, and, dare we say, fun. We don't just throw jargon around; we break it down with practical advice and real-world actions that everyone, from hotel managers to cafe owners, can take. So, whether you’re looking to start your green journey or you're trying to make your business a beacon of sustainability, we’ve got the know-how and the can-do attitude to help you make it happen. And while we’re serious about what we do, we believe a little humor goes a long way. After all, if you can’t have a laugh while saving the planet, when can you? Join us as we continue to write our story, one green step at a time. Here’s to making sustainability not just a necessity, but a norm. Ready to add a little green to your scene? Dive in—the water’s fine, and it’s getting greener by the minute!
