Happy Earth Day!
When Ben and I first started dating we were walking around a shopping center and someone handled me a postcard. It was about how many people die everyday from Lack of Access to Clean Water.
I held on to it and went home to read more about the cause. Because it’s always been a big joke with the people around me that I drink (water) like a fish it really struck a cord with me. I can’t imagine what I would do if I couldn’t just turn on the faucet and fill up my 32oz. water bottle!!!
Well, if I lived somewhere without access to clean drinking water I’d have to walk to it. Far.
It’s difficult to keep it in perspective because I am a long distance runner and my idea of a long run or walk is skewed. But, I do realize that walking 3.7 miles while carrying water takes a very long time, is exhausting and potentially unsafe.
Complications from lack of access to clean water is the leading cause of illness and death in people worldwide. Even when safe drinking water is available, women in Africa and Asia must walk an average of 3.7 miles to and from the nearest improved sanitation facility to collect it
The Rotary Club is working on bringing access to clean water to communities like this one in Peru.
A rep from the Rotary Club sent me a pedometer to wear all week to track how much I walk and compare it to the trek others around the world have to make everyday to survive.
Not including my run this morning I walked about 2 miles while reading blogs on my phone. First world problems.
In honor of Earth Day the club is giving one RER reader a pedometer. Wear it and see how far you walk to fill up your water bottle at work or school in contrast to hiking for hours to fill ‘er up!
To Enter: Leave a comment, any comment.
Open to all residents of Earth, because we all deserve clean water and pedometers. Closes Monday at 8am PST. 
If you want information on how you can donate to the Rotary club you can go here or find a local chapter here.
P.S. – I saved that postcard about clean water and mailed it to Ben a few weeks later with the message, “Save water, drink vodka.” That’s my version of a love note.
P.P.S. When I was a reporter in Maryland I covered the Water Summit in D.C.
Thanks guys, I just about lost it looikng for this.
I would love a pedometer!
I work at a desk all day and am really trying to get in more steps throughout the day. This would help!!
pick me…please 🙂 I love the avocados!! I was just thinking the other day that I take too many of my ‘luxuries’ for granted!
I don’t walk far at work to refill my ice/water, but I make the trek multiple times a day. It is amazing what we take for granted.
I need a new pedometer. Mine has died.
I would love to see how many miles I walk on a busy day waiting tables at the restaurant I work at!!
Happy Belated Earth Day!
I am getting married in October. Pedometers and weddings go hand in hand!
I would love that pedometer! Also, what in the world are you going to do with all those avocados?? Haha
I can’t imagine what it would be like having to go so far to look for water… I know when I’m away from my home during the day, I find myself thirsty and in need of more than 16oz. of water to gulp down at once. /:
YAY Earth day! sign me up 😀
wow, that is really enlightening. i’m with you, i drink water like a camel and couldn’t imagine not doing so.
yesterday, my family and i were out on our boat and we forgot cups for the wine we’d brought. i told my step-mom to hand me a waterbottle and i’d just drink it so they could put wine in….she seemed shocked that i’d drink a whole bottle (comfortably) within a couple of minutes 🙂
I celebrated Earth Day by going for a hike and picking up some trash along the way. Then I made cookies with “almost too far gone” bananas. Now I will eat some. Have a great week everybody!
Walking in order to reach something for survival, sure would take the joy that I find out of walking. Water is one of the many things I take for granted each day! Thanks for the post and chance to win!
Weirdly enough, I was thinking about getting a pedometer this week to get a better estimate of how many miles I’m running!
My brother and I are very passonate about water. we want to go to 3rd world countries after he graduates college in 2 yrs (engineer major) to help them get access to clean water. Gor lint, he gave up hot showers, cause in 3rd world countries, they barely have clean watrr much less hot water. Id love to win the pedometer.Im sure it will be eye opening how far some walk to get water.We are blessed in America.
I also drink water like a fish! Typically anywhere from 3-6 liters!!!
Hi Monica, I really liked this post. I would love this pedometer it will help me see how much I walk picking and dropping my 3 kids from school. 🙂
Such a great cause—happy earth day!
Happy Earth Day! Hope I win the pedometer; I’ve always wanted one!
That’s why I decided to run my next half marathon with Team World Vision!
I am so grateful for clean water. I don’t think about it enough, though… this was a good reminder!
Definitely more grateful for clean water at my finger tips. I would go to any lengths for clean water. Happy Earth Day!
I’ve always wanted a pedometer! Motivation to get up and move my bum.
I would love one of those pedometers, I have one because I am a nurses assistant and walk a ton and I feel mine is completely inaccurate.
Happy Earth Day…the sun is shining beautifully in Walla Walla, WA! I would love to win a pedometer. I just bought myself one…but I am trying to get my husband to join my couch to 5 k attempt and would love for him to have one too! I figure it might help keep motivation up :).
We are spoiled with such easy access to clean water and take it for granted. This is such a great cause to support.
I think it’s really cool that you support a cause like this, it’s the simplest things, like water, that we tend to forget about!
Happy earth day! I love water and am so grateful to always have easy access to it!
I can’t decide if I would love to have a pedometer or not…it may expose my laziness.
It’s sad and mind boggling that it takes seeing/reading things like this to really put into perspective how good we have it.
Happy Earth Day! I work as a housekeeper at a historic hotel (Without elevators) and have always wonder how far I actually walk at work. It would be fun to find out:)
We definitely don’t realize how lucky we are!
Wow!
Happy Earth Day! Thanks for this post : )
Happy Earth Day! Such an important cause to care about. The pedometer is a great way to see how much you walk around during the day. I work 9-5pm and am usually sitting, so I think it would be a great motivator to get up from my desk and walk around during the day!
We really are very lucky and it’s easy to forgot most of the time until you read or see something that makes you realize how great you really have it!
Such an interesting thought! Definitely an important issue!
What a great cause! Now, if I won this pedometer, I would use it with one of my morbidly obese students to help him get some more miles in at school. It’s the least I can do!
I love that you posted about this. It is incredibly sad, and it’s even more sad that most Americans have no idea that for some, clean water is a luxury. Here’s a link to a favorite blogger of mine, who is (in a good way) obsessed with helping others get access to clean water, http://www.joyshope.com/2012/03/my-heart.html
Happy Earth Day! I would love to win the pedometer. I accidentally jumped in the pool with it still on my shorts the other night, so i’m definitely in the market for a new one.
I would love an accurate pedometer.
Happy earth day!
Happy Earth Day!!! I couldn’t imagine not having access to fresh water at all times either. This is a great cause!
Happy Earth Day! If I won the pedometer I would do my part by using it to see how many steps it takes to get to the bar, where I would save the Earth by drinking vodka in your honor 🙂 have a great weekend!
So true about first world problems! My biggest issue today is whether to run outside in 50degree weather, or 5minutes away to my gym!
Happy Earth Day!
eye opener!
Great post, sometimes we need a reality check to put things in perspective. Happy earth day!
This is such an awesome post! Clean water is so important, and we take it for granted everyday. You should check out charitywater.org ..they also are into helping others get clean water!
Great post! Happy earth day!
Earlier this week I was thinking about how much I want a pedometer… Perfect! 🙂
This kind of stuff makes me feel so bad, especially when I get angry that the water spout isn’t working on the fridge! I should put it in perspective next time it’s acting up…I’m only travelling 3.7 feet, not 3.7 miles!
i would love a pedometer!!!!
What a great way to educate people. 🙂
Of course it would rain on earth day. But I did get outside for a run!
happy earth day! hopefully clean water will be available for all.
Wow, great post. Makes me appreciate how lucky I am to have access to clean water. I’d love to win this pedometer! Happy Earth Day 🙂
Clean water is SUCH an important cause. Unfortunately, it is something that so many of us take for granted!
this really makes me appreciate our access to clean water…especially when i fill up my water bottle 6 times per day!
happy earth day!
It’s so easy to forget about all those little conveniences we take for granted, that many people have to do without. Thank you for reminding me about how lucky I am 🙂
Happy Earth Day! I always wonder how many steps I take in a day (besides running). Probably not so many since I have a desk job.
Things like this really make me grateful for what we have! A pedometer would be great too! 😉 haha
How cool! I am so grateful I have access to clean water.
My hubby was born in another country and every once in a while he loves to remind me how lucky we are to have easy access to tasty and safe water. We are also lucky to live right next to the lake that we get the water from 🙂
I, too, drink a lot of water and definitely take it for granted that we live in a country where we don’t really have to worry about finding food or water. Thanks for raising awareness for this issue!! I’d love to wear a pedometer to see how I compare
Great post—we are so very fortunate here in the US with access to clean, safe water!
I recently started a dog-walking job and am curious about my steps so a pedometer would be awesome!
Love your blog 🙂
Thanks for your posts! Your approach to eating is the way I live as well. Eat when I am hungry, stop when full.
Great giveaway! We are all so lucky to have access to what we need!
I feel so lucky to be a resident on Earth 🙂 Happy Earth Day!
I am so thankful for instant access to dihydrogen monoxide
Great post today! I would love a pedometer, or as my mexican dad calls it a fart meter. PEDO meter. 🙂
Great idea, love your blog!
That is so crazy to imagine! We really are so lucky …
For those of us who might not have the time or energy to jump on a big cause bandwagon, there’s this: http://mycharitywater.org/birthdays. I will definitely do that for my next B-day.
I want to wear a pedometer too (I have one around here somewhere) – I’m a server and I swear I must cover 2-3 miles per shift!
What a great topic to bring awareness to!
Thanks for posting such an informative piece on Earth day. I teach 2nd grade and we learned about trash this year…pretty scary/ depressing! Hopefully it taught the kids to waste a little less.
I was just complaining about how my Brita filter is too small this morning. Thanks for putting things into perspective 🙂
I drink water exclusively and couldn’t imagine if clean water wasn’t readily available. I need to be more conscious of how I use water.
most of us take so much for granted. this is a good reminder of how fortunate i am.
WOW……really puts things in perspective and makes me feel like I should do a WHOLE lot LESS whining about crap!
On average, I only walk about 30 feet to fill up my britta water bottle!
Sometimes I feel like 32oz isn’t even enough for me! My water bottle is like a security blanket, if I don’t have it, I feel “off”. Great giveaway, I have been in the market for a pedometer. 🙂
Preserving water supply is a really big issue. It’s sad went I see people take it for granted…
thank you for bringing up this important issue. we often take for granted basic life necessities that is the difference between life and death in much of the world.
have you ever heard of a life straw? it’s really neat– it’s this little water filter thing that is worn around the neck that makes water in underdeveloped and disaster stricken areas safe to drink. some NGOs have been working to provide them for people in those kinds of places where access to clean drinking water is limited, and one straw can provide an adult with clean water for a year!
I’ve always been curious how far I walk during the day. Great, informative post!
I also drink water like a fish and don’t know what I would do if I didn’t have access to clean water. Thanks for reminding us and letting us know what the Rotary club is doing.
Happy Earth Day! I would love to try out the pedometer!
Thanks for this post! Its such a huge issue in impoverished countries and we all take water for granted. I mean, it just sitting there for us at every mile marker! We all have to keep this in mind and do what we can to help.
Also, I am the same way with my water bottle. I carry it everywhere and if I don’t have it I feel lost.
It’s so easy to take things like clean water for granted….
I am an assistant principal at a high school and have always wondered how much I walk each day. Some days I think my walking equals or exceeds my morning run! I would love to be able to check it out.
I am loving reading your blog!
I too drink a ton of water everyday. I take for granted just turning on the faucet for cold water. I can’t imaagine having to walk that far to get it.
Monica, I could really us this!
Thanx
First of all, where did you get that 32 oz water bottle? I can only find 24 oz and that doesn’t cut it. That puts things on perspective, how we can take things for granted. And to us, it’s such a little thing to get water. If we couldn’t……I just couldn’t imagine. We are so fortunate.
This post is perfect timing for Earth Day today! I would love a pedometer because mine broke and I haven’t been able to rack my mileage since!
I totally spaced on Earth Day. Can I have a do over and tell everyone about it today?
Great post! Thanks!
We take so much for granted in our country! Thanks for bringing this issue to your readers.
I couldn’t imagine having to walk for miles to get clean water. We take so many things for granted!
Lived in Thailand for a while where water was not clean and it had such a huge impact on daily life. My experience was no where near living miles away from a clean water source and permanently – it is hard to imagine.
Really stoked to see this pedometer is open to out of US residents. I’d love to enter as it would help me train for my marathon!
Cool. I’ve always wondered how many steps I take a day…especially during the week when I’m sitting at a desk for 8-9hrs/day. I’d be curious to know the average number of daily steps of all people in the US.
I did a 10k race this morning in celebration of Earth Day!
I’m not even sure how I could do it with buying bottled water (as many people have to do) instead of just opening the faucet and filling up my water bottle. Walking far away for it seems impossible. I have so much respect for people living in those situations and finding the strength to do it all, when I (as many people around me) have a hard time finding the motivation to do much more pleasurable things like going for a run or grocery shopping.
It’s funny how the little things, like postcards, can change your thinking.
Oh, so many things we take for granted…we should be grateful even for the tiniest glass (or 2 L bottle…) of water.
hi! I dont really know what that thing does, but if its one of those that counts your steps then ive always wanted one! im really curious about how much i walk every day..
That is such a long way to walk for water. I can’t imagine needing to do that for an such an essential element in life. But I have thought of it. And realize we are truly blessed to have water whenever we need it.
Thanks for the information.
We are extremely fortunate to have clean water in the United States!
I truly think I’d die without instant access to clean water… especially since I’m so picky as to my water’s “taste”! I love hearing about organizations that help those in need (versus those that “want”), so thanks for sharing the links! Saves me from Googling it 😉 (what was that about first world problems? lol)
I can’t begin to imagine not having full access to clean water.