Ideas from a run down cabin

There are those who drink bottled water that will find this to be liberal drivel for those people might I suggest that you stop reading right now.

Those who are still reading I want to bring to light an issue of responsibility that we all must accept as our own.

In my research into the environmental impacts of bottled water I began to delve into the various brands and the conditions that these waters are bottled under.  One in particular struck a chord with me.  Fiji Brand water.

Fiji Brand water is a product of (you guessed it) Fiji.  It is bottled and shipped over seas to various markets around the world.  The United States being one of the biggest consumers of the water.

Now as we are all aware bottled water poses a huge environmental hazzard in the fact that millions of barrels of oil go into the production of the plastic used in the manufacture of these bottles.  Recycling of these bottles accounts for about 10 percent of the total amount produced. The others go to landfill creating a waste of valuable petroleum. However the issue with Fiji Bottled water is much worse.

Fiji Water is an independent bottling company that bottles and sells Fijian water to the world while at the same time depleting the water supply on the island itself. Other issues that surround this endevour are more important and dire in that the water used is among the small quantity of water that is truely fit for human consumption.  Statistics from a 2000 WHO report show that  "the coverage of the population in Fiji with access to an improved water supply was 43% for rural areas and 51% for urban areas." This one fact in and of itself is of concern in that in most cases 57% of the Fijian population has no access to treated Clean water.  Many towns are faced with having water brought in by barge in times of drought or are faced with drinking contaminated water stored in resevours above the villages that have been created by dams. While the availability of clean water is absent for most of the citizens of Fiji we here in the states are buying and drinking Designer water bottled in Fiji. Does this make sense to you?  I should hope not.

If you Drink "Fiji Water" stop  if you don't  but know someone who does tell them to stop and tell them why.  Don't support Fiji Water Company until all of fiji has access to clean drinkable and healthy water. In this the year of Democratic opportunity its important to remember that you vote every day in the dollar that you spend.  Every dollar you spend on products that hurt people or the environment is a vote to continue the way business is transacted that is harmful. Send your message by not buying harmful products.

If you want to know more click here--  http://www.wpro.who.int/NR/rdonlyres/536514FD-CE9C-419
8-B483-81B719BB5398/0/EHIAFinal.pdf