While most people view water as an abundant resource that is available with the turn of a faucet, it's far from the case for most of the world. The Global Environmental Outlook 4 (2007) of the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) reports that available freshwater resources are declining: by 2025, 1.8 billion people will live in countries with absolute water scarcity, or about 1 out of every 4 people, and two-thirds will live in water-stressed areas. Click here to read more about global water access and sustainability.

As part of the Sisters of Mercy's commitment to Earth and the environment, Mercy Investment Services has taken an active role in advocating for access to water as a fundamental right. Mercy Investment Services was a signatory on a letter to Ambassador Susan Rice, the United States representative to the United Nations, asking her to support a resolution recognizing water and sanitation as a human right. This week, the United Nations adopted the resolution with support from 122 countries; 41 countries, including the United States, abstained. While a vote of support from the United States was hoped for, the United States voiced support for the goal of universal access to safe drinking water and chose to abstain on procedural grounds. To read more about the resolution and the United States' response, click here.

Mercy Investment Services also participated in the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility's (ICCR) dialogue with Coca-Cola. The dialogue addressed Coca-Cola's use of water from both the human rights and environmental aspects. Through ICCR, Mercy Investment Services continues to engage companies regarding their stewardship of water and the environmental impacts of their operations on water resource availability. Mercy Investment Services recently signed on to a shareholder letter to Veolia Water requesting the company's position on access to water as a human rights issue. Click here to read the letter.

More about water:

General Assembly adopts resolution recognizing access to clean water, sanitation as human right - July 28, 2010, United Nations

Access to clean water is most violated human right - July 21, 2010, The Guardian/UK