Our World

“Nobody should die because they don't have money for water."

In reaction to the STC Time's Opinion article (Worldwide concerns highlight basic necessity of water), I was struck by one of the author's final comments: “Nobody should die because they don't have money for water." This statement made me think of the overly-priced bottled water in which so many Americans indulge in--Evian. Just because it goes through a natural aquifer in the French Alps and is bottled in France, does not mean that Americans need to pay $3 for a bottle of water. In addition, if you try to buy Evian water online, it is under the gourmet food section.

This was upsetting to see because water should not be considered a gourmet food, especially when that same water from France could very easily be sent to the refugees in Africa, among other countries. They would not have to pay nearly as much in shipping handling fees as we would to ship purified water.

As a final point, Evian does not need to be selling their expensive water across the globe. They have markets in other industries, such as skin care, hotel and beauty salons, and research centers. Evian will still make a profit if they stop selling their water to the Western Hemisphere.

So to the makers of Evian, take your natural aquifer and do something valiant with it.

posted by Anonymous @ 3/20/2006 06:34:00 PM