Issue link: https://bluemagazine.uberflip.com/i/25253
The global water crisis threatens humanity's very existence on planet Earth. If we run out of freshwater, our concerns will range from widespread famine and food shortages to increasing ly ram- pant disease from lack of sanitation, But waters serve a spiritual purpose in addition to their precious hydrating and nourishing capabilities. Throughout history, diverse cultures have recognized this, The Hindus believe the Ganges river comes from Heaven and bathe in its purifying waters, Christians baptize newborn children with the purity of water, Muslims perform ablutions, cleansi ng body, mind and spirit, Today, for many surfers, paddlers and divers, our waters are not only our playgrounds, but our churches-providers of nat- ural inspiration and divine wonder. Even if we can find technologi- cal solutions to the global water crisis, ones tha t bring us water to drink and food to eat, if we lose our oceans and reefs to pollution, if we lose our rivers to the harnessing by dams, we will live with a large and lonely void in our lives, In the global water crisis, it's all related, The same fer- tilizers, faulty sanitation systems and industrial development that pollute our drinking water and deplete freshwater are the threats to our natural playgrounds, If water spaces are where you practice your art, you will be the first to know of the worsening state of our waters, because you are likely getting sick from it. You may likely be the first to want to save the waters, as outdoor recreationalists typically have been, Here BLUE contributors William Henry, Lou Mazzante and Aaron Bible get wet in the issues of how water pollution threates surfers, paddlers and divers, and what they are doing about it.