Water

In our corner of the world we sometimes forget how precious the resource of fresh water is because of how much "liquid sunshine" we receive.  Yet, it is finite even here.  The aquifer that most of us get our water from in this fine city of Abbotsford recharges at a certain rate.  If we extract from it faster than it can recharge then we will experience water shortages.  Streams that we procure water from are essentially the same, if we take too much it stops being able to provide the natural functions that it once did such as salmon spawning.

Obviously our conservation efforts here will not directly effect those people around the world who need access to fresh water so desperately.  By turning off the tap the water is not then available to someone in Africa or South Asia.  However, a shift in our thinking about the resource will have an effect on our actions beyond merely conservation here.  It will hopefully effect our political choices, where we invest our money and how we interact with people we come in contact with.  Each of these can and will indirectly shape the world we live-in beyond our individual reach.

This type of thinking is obviously not just related to water usage or even social justice issues but also to our spiritual life.  This is the basis of the second commandment that seems to be the overarching theme for our home group. 

We spoke of different ways we could get involved personally and places that we could direct others who want to get involved.  Below are some organizations that have water purification and access as a priority.

World Health Organization

The World Health Organization is probably the number one expert when it comes to needs related to access to clean water though they can sometimes seem over whelming in the size and scope of their projects.  

The Water Project

These folks specialize in providing clean water in Africa.  Some of their earliest projects were considered failures by some critics but as they have grown they have been having really positive results.... I really like the section on why to give up bottled water!  "We live in the developed world where water from our tap is more strictly regulated for safety and purity than commercially bottled water."

Impact Nations

My good friends Tim and Bethany work in the ozarks of the Philippines providing water filters to isolated communities (beth also is a midwife).

The Adventures Of Tim And Bethany

World Vision

A well established non-profit that focuses on providing for the needs of children all over the world.  There are many different ways that they provide for basic needs and education one of them being the provision of water and sanitation. 

Fashioning Justice

This week we discussed the fashion industry.

Carmen (being well versed in the particular field) started us off with insight into more ecologically friendly textiles but the conversation quickly turned into a discussion of our social responsibility as Christian's.  Very simply put this is to act in ways that would follow the precepts that Jesus laid out, namely loving our neighbours as ourselves.  We also concluded that by acting compassionately toward the least of these we would be in-turn ministering to God and thus fulfilling the first commandment.  What this should look like in our daily actions and in our personal world-views appears highly complex and varied.  Below will be some ideas, examples and links to other relevant information about ecologically and socially responsibility that Christian's (or anyone for that matter) should consider when buying clothing.

Adbusters (Blackspot Shoes)

Slightly ironic that a magazine promoting non-advertising advertises these shoes.... however the social, economic and ecological responsibility of these shoes is real.

EDUN Clothing

Perhaps creating major industry in Africa is not the best environmental policy but edun is socially responsible with high standards in their production facilities... and they do promote a  seed to finished product type structure which cuts incredibly into the negatives of shipping raw materials with out added value.

American Apparel

they have bought into the idea of high standards in clothing production with fair wages and good working conditions and they even have a large organic clothing section... however I highly detest how much they use sex to sell their clothing.

The Natural Store

In many ways europe is leaps and bounds ahead of us in environmental and socially responsible clothing production... they are also leaps and bounds ahead in price....

anyway just go to your local thrift store.... it is cheaper, just as cool and is super ecofriendly...