11 July 2007

Bottled Water is not a Sin, but it is a Choice


This month's issue of fast company has a fascinating article on bottled water. I've been thinking a lot about mindfulness and being aware of the impact I have on the world and this article really brought it home.

Here are a few highlights from the article:
  • Fiji water produces 1million bottles of water per day...half of the people in fiji do not have access to adequate drinking water
  • "24% of the bottled water we buy is tap water repackaged by Coke and Pepsi."
  • "If the water we use at home cost what even cheap bottled water costs, our monthly water bills would run $9,000."
I am prone to feel guilty about what I have the ability to consume. I live a very privileged life. I'm trying to figure out how to live mindfully without being wrapped up in guilt.

Once you understand the resources mustered to deliver the bottle of water, it's reasonable to ask as you reach for the next bottle, not just "Does the value to me equal the 99 cents I'm about to spend?" but "Does the value equal the impact I'm about to leave behind?"

2 comments:

Josiah said...

You're not the one impacting anything.

Or are you implying that you consume a million bottles of Figi everyday?

You want to 'make an impact' don't just change what you buy, or the way you get it work, it doesn't matter.

Do something with your life if you really feel this guilty.

Bring fresh water and other life necessitates to the suffering people in the world.

Or do a million other things that would help our world, not just not buying bottled water, that's such a ridiculous approach to such a 'huge problem'.

Jeff Luce said...

In my experience, guilt is not very motivating. Something else needs to be there. I agree about needing to turn from consumption (and guilt about consumption) to helping suffering people in real ways.