Tan Woo Yew Samuel 302
Write a speech highlighting what you think is the most challenging issue facing the world today, and how Commonwealth values can be used to solve it.
Imagine a world where vast oceans cover 70% of the Earth, yet billions of people struggle to find a single drop of clean water. Water scarcity has been one of the largest global risks over the last decade, and has greatly threatened people's livelihoods. Despite the vastness of our blue planet, only a minuscule 0.014% of its water is accessible and suitable for consumption. The remaining percentage of Earth's water exists in saline oceans, locked within polar ice caps, or contaminated by pollutants, rendering it unfit for human consumption and slowly transforming water into new oil. Good morning/ afternoon, everyone. My name is Samuel, and I will be diving into the topic of water scarcity in greater depth.
The world often seems more motivated to tackle an environmental problem only when there is a promise of the green dollar. Take the recent surge in electric vehicles as an example. While they undoubtedly benefit the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the sole purpose of manufacturing companies is undoubtedly the economic revenue that electric vehicles will produce in the upcoming years, not so much on tackling the world’s environmental well-being.
The harsh reality is that the water crisis just doesn’t seem to turn a profit. Unlike electric vehicles, with their new and shiny technology and potential for future investments, there’s hardly any incentive for companies to tackle freshwater scarcity. Desalination plants, for example, require vast amounts of investment and money to maintain and high energy consumption. While this may be a minor problem in first-world countries, desalination technology remains a distant dream for many underdeveloped and water-stressed countries, such as South Africa. Like desalination’s hefty price tag, the human cost of water scarcity is also skyrocketing.
Not long ago, South Africa ( a commonwealth member since 1926 ) witnessed Cape Town, one of its most vibrant cities, approaching "Day Zero ''--the terrifying prospect of running out of essential freshwater. It saw residents queuing for hours with only a bucket in the relentless glare of the midday sun for freshwater, their daily allowance only a mere 50 litres per person. This pitiful sum was barely enough to sustain them, as it only covered personal hygiene, drinking, washing, and cooking. This desperate situation exposed the harsh realities of water scarcity- a bustling city brought to its knees by the lack of a basic human right.
Yet, amidst this crisis, lies an opportunity. The commonwealth nations are a tapestry bound by a shared history and commitment to common values. Three Commonwealth values can be used to solve this daunting problem: global collaboration, building a sustainable future, and strength in unity, The Commonwealth can chart toward water security for all.
The water agreements between Malaysia and Singapore are proof that the Commonwealth's wide network enables nations to exchange information and work together on research projects. Since 1962, these two Commonwealth countries have leveraged their Global Collaboration to meet their individual water needs. Singapore, a land-scarce country with limited freshwater resources, has been sourcing raw water from Johor. As a condition of the agreement, Singapore treats and returns up to 2% of the raw water it receives, giving Malaysia a consistent supply of clean water. The power of global collaboration among the commonwealth is demonstrated by this agreement, which guarantees a steady supply of raw water for Singapore's expanding population and potable water for Johor for many years to come, while also facilitating the sharing of knowledge on water management.
Leveraging on global collaboration, it is also important to focus on building a Sustainable Future while providing a strong foundation for addressing water scarcity. It involves sharing innovative solutions across borders, and one example of this could be Singapore’s NEWater program- a world-leading initiative in wastewater treatment, which utilizes reverse osmosis machines and technologies to purify sewage water into drinking water. Imagine China, a country grappling with wastewater treatment problems and water scarcity due to rapid urbanisation, being able to tap into this transformative technology. NEWater could tailor to China’s specific needs by establishing treatment plants in rural areas. These strategically placed facilities would not only address the existing lack of potable water but also, because of the high level of maintenance and regular check-ups required for these plants, translate into skilled positions for local communities, subsequently bringing about job opportunities. By harnessing Singapore's innovative NEWater technology, China would be able to resolve its water shortage problem and create a sustainable water supply for years to come.
Beyond the power of Global Collaboration, the last core value of Strength In Unity offers another key solution against water scarcity. This principle emphasises on collective action by all nations to ensure proper water governance, where the OECD’s principles on water governance comes into play. First introduced in 2018, it serves as an effective framework for effective water governance, focusing on the pillars of effectiveness, efficiency, trust and engagement. Rather than reinventing the wheel, Commonwealth countries can leverage its framework. Strength in Unity is another equally powerful value against water scarcity. This principle emphasizes collective action, fostering a scenario where water-stressed nations with poor governance like Papua New Guinea can leverage the expertise and resources of water-rich members like New Zealand.
In conclusion, water scarcity is a fundamental problem that is neither sexy nor profitable to tackle. Water scarcity casts a long shadow, but the Commonwealth and its values offer a beacon of hope. With global collaboration, building a sustainable future, and strength in unity, every human being would have hope of gaining access to the elixir of life. Thank you for listening to my speech, and I hope it will bring about changes and solutions to address the global water crisis, so that no country would ever have to face the prospect of “Day Zero” ever again.