Summit on the Summit
Index
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SUMMIT ON THE SUMMIT: The 19,340 ft Website
We are climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro to fight the global clean water crisis. Climb with us right here.
The Story
We are climbing a mountain to conquer a crisis. A billion people around the world do not have access to clean drinking water, so we have gathered a group of leaders, influencers and advocates to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro. The goal is to raise awareness and funds to support the fight against the global clean water crisis. The 19,340-foot journey will be daunting and physically demanding, but it’s nothing compared to the reason we’re climbing—to help those who face a much steeper obstacle every single day.
The Crisis
The global clean water crisis is arguably the most important cause of our time. First you have to understand that lack of water is a massive problem—then you have to embrace what you can do about it. There are two main issues:
1. Water is a precious resource. Even those of us who have it must learn to conserve it.
2. There are still over ONE BILLION people who do not have access to clean drinking water. The most affected are children.
Take a few minutes to learn some of the most important facts and challenges in the global water crisis. Then, click on the Solving the Problem tab to learn how you can help.
Water-related diseases are the leading cause of death, taking the lives of 3.575 million people a year,1 and are responsible for 80 percent of all sickness in the world. Unsafe water and lack of sanitation is now the single largest cause of illness worldwide.2
Every 15 seconds a child dies from a preventable, water-related disease.3
Children in poor environments often carry 1,000 parasitic worms in their bodies at any time, from the unsafe water they must consume just to survive.2
Approximately 443 million school days are lost each year due to water-related illness.4
At any one time, half of the world’s hospital beds are occupied by patients suffering from waterborne diseases. 1
The water and sanitation crisis claims more lives through disease than any war claims through guns.1
Unless we act now, by 2025 the number of people without access to clean water could increase to 2.3 billion.1
Less than 1% of the world’s fresh water, or about 0.007% of all water on Earth, is readily accessible for direct human use. 1
Currently, over half of the states in the USA are facing serious drought conditions.5
Statistics like these are even more tragic because they are unnecessary.
1. WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION
2. UNITED NATIONS
3. UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
4. WATER POLICY INTERNATIONAL
5. U.S. DROUGHT MONITOR
Solving the Problem
Solving the global clean water crisis is a massive challenge. Together, we can make a difference.
Make a donation to SUMMIT ON THE SUMMIT: Kilimanjaro.
Your donation will provide clean drinking water to those in need.
Learn more about our beneficiaries: Children’s Safe Drinking Water Program, UNHCR and Playpumps International.
Spread the knowledge by telling a friend about SUMMIT ON THE SUMMIT. Start talking about the issue and sharing what you know.
Set a goal to raise funds, awareness or simply just lower your daily water use. Be the example.
Know your impact:
Recognize how conservation is an important part of the crisis and reduce your “blue footprint.”
Keep your shower under 5 minutes and save 1,000 gallons a month.
According to The Washington Post, “Just one flush of a toilet in the West uses more water than most Africans have to perform an entire day’s washing, cleaning, cooking and drinking.”
You don’t ALWAYS have to flush. When possible, skip the flush and save 5 to 7 gallons of water.
Wash your laundry only when you have a full load, and save 600 to 1,000 gallons of water each month.
Put food coloring in your toilet tank. If it seeps into the bowl, you have a leak. It’s easy to fix and can save 600 to 1,000 gallons a month.
Use a water-efficient showerhead; they’re inexpensive, easy to install, (remove comma) and can save up to 750 gallons a month.
Plant a low-water-use plant and save up to 550 gallons of water per year.
Turn off the water while you brush your teeth and save up to 4 gallons a minute. That’s 200 gallons a week for a family of four.
Fix a leaky faucet and save up to 140 gallons a week.
Use a hose nozzle and turn off the water while you wash your car to save more than 100 gallons.
Use a broom to clean the sidewalk or driveway instead of a hose, and save up to 80 gallons every time.