The
21'st century is the century in which the overriding problem is one of
water quality and management. Today, Over 1 billion people still drink
unsafe water.
"All
available predictions agree that there is a growing water scarcity and
it is estimated that within 25 years, two-thirds of the world's
inhabitants will live in countries with serious water problems. Growing
demand, inadequate water governance, excessive abstraction and climate
change coupled with the fact that quality of water is deteriorating in
many parts of the world due to pollution, has put both surface and
groundwater resources under severe stress in many parts of the world.
Transboundary water resources additionally face political, cultural and
ethical challenges. Cooperative arrangements, based on a
multi-disciplinary approach integrating scientific, social, economic
and institutional components, are crucial in order to jointly develop,
manage and protect transboundary waters, to avoid conflict, to optimize
the sustainable utilization of these resources and to ensure water
security". Source: UNESCO, October 2008
"To the people of poor nations, we
pledge to work alongside you to make
your farms flourish and Let Clean Waters Flow; to nourish starved
bodies and feed hungry minds. And to those nations like ours that enjoy
relative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to
suffering outside our borders; nor can we consume the world's resources
without regard to effect. For the world has changed, and we must change
with it." Source: President Obama, Inaugural Speech, January 20, 2009, Washington, DC, USA. LetCleanWatersFlow
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A Call To Action
The "Innovate Blue" initiative is focusing on global attention. It
is the first of its kind to challenge, honor and reward creativity for
excellence in designing water-efficient products and services for a better planet – in
the disciplines of art, branding, environment, virtual, fashion, packaging, photography,
print, water-efficient, eco-efficient, energy-efficient, and interactive.
We are
dedicated to educating individuals about the necessity for clean and
safe water, and it's far reaching economic and environmental impact.
While the public is hearing about going 'green', our goal is to
emphasize and educate people about going 'blue'. This 'blue movement'
will be communicated through our innovate blue competition, and a
variety of methods best suited to reach each target audience. While
appearing abundant to some, freshwater is a limited natural resource
that impacts global economy, health, and education, and a variety of
environmental issues beyond itself. For more information, please visit: FreshWaterAlert
All
designers, professionals and students who participate in this unique
initiative and competition will be part of the solution to the World
Water Crisis by replacing existing products, and creating new products
and services with innovation inspired by the "Innovate Blue" projects.
Innovate blue was created to build a 'Water Awareness and Brand',
and boost the sustainable use of water, and the development of water-efficient and eco-efficient designs
that minimize environmental impacts, and reduce freshwater demand and
water waste throughout the product, packaging and transportation
life-cycle. In addition, the project educates consumers about
commercial brands, firms, institutions and organizations that are
committed to reduce their waterfootprint and water waste.
We seek to establish new strategic partnerships with
small to multinational retail and wholesale companies, manufacturers, sponsors,
universities, organizations, non-profits, consultants, volunteers, and funding sources worldwide.
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