Water scarcity is an issue affecting countries, communities and families all over the world. One in eight people don't have access to safe, clean drinking water. Communities in Africa, Latin America and Asia suffer 1.8 million deaths every year from diarrheal diseases and the death of 5,000 children each day due to inadequate water infrastructure. In these areas, women and children are forced to walk 6 km (3.7 miles) each day to secure water that is likely unsuitable for drinking.
However, the water crisis is not only limited to developing nations. In cities such as Los Angeles and Sydney, growing demand on limited water supplies has led to enforced water rationing and increased costs to the public. Adding to these existing issues, the affects of climate change are increasingly impacting both supply and quality of available fresh water throughout the world – shifting traditional rainfall patterns, altering water-shaping ecosystems and magnifying the effects of pollution.
The Dow Live Earth Run for Water is the largest solutions-based initiative in history aimed at solving the world's water crisis. Taking place on April 18, 2010, the Dow Live Earth Run for Water will consist of a series of 6km runs/walks (the average distance many women and children walk everyday to secure water) occurring over the course of 24 hours. The events will feature live musical performances and water education activities in an effort to ignite a massive global movement to put an end to this epidemic.
Xtra Mile Events will direct and produce the Manchester Run for Water on April 18, 2010. The Dow Live Earth Run for Water is a globally-unified day of commitment and awareness that will involve thousands of runners, celebrities, and most importantly, ordinary people who want to make a difference in their own communities and throughout the world. This historic event provides an opportunity to develop communications that engage communities, governments, civic leaders, media, consumers, and others.
Click here more information about the Manchester Run For Water or click here to access the Live Earth homepage.
Click here to register.