I grew up with several siblings in a small house. We doubled up in the bedrooms, shared the closet space and we had to manage with just one bathroom, toilet and tub only.
Toilet time was precious and there was always somebody banging on the door. We felt our rights were being violated at the time but by today’s standards we were luckier than many.
In June of this year the United Nations passed a resolution declaring that clean water and sanitation is a basic human right. Canada abstained on this vote. All Canadians should be a little concerned about that. Sooner or later everybody has to go.
More recently, at noon on Nov. 19, thousands of people from five continents paid tribute to the important work of the World Toilet Organization (the other WTO).
It was World Toilet Day last Saturday and squatters all over the world flexed their loins collectively for a one-minute crouch in what has come to be known as “The Big Squat.” It has been described as a movement for the toiletless and aims to increase awareness of one dirty little fact.
There are about 2.5 billion people worldwide who do not have access to toilets or any other type of sanitation. In many cases their water supply is also contaminated. The result of this situation is disease and about 1.8 million deaths every year (5,000 children per day).
This is hard to imagine for many North Americans who have the luxury of multiple toilets and an endless supply of water but to put the issue in perspective we should ask ourselves one question. If there were no toilets anywhere, where would we go?
This question is asked, and answered, by billions of unfortunate people every day. The purpose of World Toilet Day is to address and eventually correct this lack of sanitation and clean water. It’s a dirty job and thankfully some dedicated individuals are willing to take it on.
This global non-profit organization is committed to improving toilet and sanitation conditions worldwide as well as the availability of clean water. Fifteen founding members in 2001 has grown to 235 member organizations in 58 countries today.
The World Toilet Organization is the creation of Jack Sim who has since been chosen as one of Time Magazine’s environmental heroes. It is his belief that improved sanitation brings the benefits of good health and dignity to humanity as a whole.
That’s why people were squatting on Nov.19. I couldn’t find any Big Squats in Canada and I am unaware of any local events but I was able to locate a Potty Party in Hamilton at the Columbia International College gymnasium.
Supporters in that community had a flush of interesting events including potty putting, toilet tiling, toilet paper bowling, potty portraits and a plunger toss. It’s a serious subject but one that automatically lends itself to a certain amount of potty humor.
Even so, World toilet Day is not a big event here in the multi-toileted west. We take our facilities for granted. When we get the urge to go, we just go.
The World Toilet Organization is trying to gain support by focusing on the economic opportunities that are going down the toilet, so to speak. Two-and-a-half billion orphan bums translates into a lot of potential sales of toilets, seats and air fresheners. And who will supply the millions of miles of toilet paper?
This could be a huge economic boost for Northwestern Ontario. We’ve been talking about value-added forest products for years. We have the wood fiber and the technological knowhow to convert it into soft, absorbent toilet paper. Our own brand of “Boreal Bum Wad” could be shipped around the world. We could clean up.
I don’t know why Canada abstained on the UN vote. Last time around we voted against the resolution altogether. What were we thinking? Why are we so reluctant to provide this simple dignity to those in need?
In our own backyard many First Nations communities do not have access to basic sanitation or clean water. There’s nothing funny about that. These necessities are recognized as basic human rights by the U.N. even if our own government refuses to join the big squat.
Here in Thunder Bay we have plenty of toilets and clean water to go around. That leaves 2.5 billion others who will have to go elsewhere.
There’s something to think about the next time you’re squatting comfortably.
Toilet time was precious and there was always somebody banging on the door. We felt our rights were being violated at the time but by today’s standards we were luckier than many.
In June of this year the United Nations passed a resolution declaring that clean water and sanitation is a basic human right. Canada abstained on this vote. All Canadians should be a little concerned about that. Sooner or later everybody has to go.
More recently, at noon on Nov. 19, thousands of people from five continents paid tribute to the important work of the World Toilet Organization (the other WTO).
It was World Toilet Day last Saturday and squatters all over the world flexed their loins collectively for a one-minute crouch in what has come to be known as “The Big Squat.” It has been described as a movement for the toiletless and aims to increase awareness of one dirty little fact.
There are about 2.5 billion people worldwide who do not have access to toilets or any other type of sanitation. In many cases their water supply is also contaminated. The result of this situation is disease and about 1.8 million deaths every year (5,000 children per day).
This is hard to imagine for many North Americans who have the luxury of multiple toilets and an endless supply of water but to put the issue in perspective we should ask ourselves one question. If there were no toilets anywhere, where would we go?
This question is asked, and answered, by billions of unfortunate people every day. The purpose of World Toilet Day is to address and eventually correct this lack of sanitation and clean water. It’s a dirty job and thankfully some dedicated individuals are willing to take it on.
This global non-profit organization is committed to improving toilet and sanitation conditions worldwide as well as the availability of clean water. Fifteen founding members in 2001 has grown to 235 member organizations in 58 countries today.
The World Toilet Organization is the creation of Jack Sim who has since been chosen as one of Time Magazine’s environmental heroes. It is his belief that improved sanitation brings the benefits of good health and dignity to humanity as a whole.
That’s why people were squatting on Nov.19. I couldn’t find any Big Squats in Canada and I am unaware of any local events but I was able to locate a Potty Party in Hamilton at the Columbia International College gymnasium.
Supporters in that community had a flush of interesting events including potty putting, toilet tiling, toilet paper bowling, potty portraits and a plunger toss. It’s a serious subject but one that automatically lends itself to a certain amount of potty humor.
Even so, World toilet Day is not a big event here in the multi-toileted west. We take our facilities for granted. When we get the urge to go, we just go.
The World Toilet Organization is trying to gain support by focusing on the economic opportunities that are going down the toilet, so to speak. Two-and-a-half billion orphan bums translates into a lot of potential sales of toilets, seats and air fresheners. And who will supply the millions of miles of toilet paper?
This could be a huge economic boost for Northwestern Ontario. We’ve been talking about value-added forest products for years. We have the wood fiber and the technological knowhow to convert it into soft, absorbent toilet paper. Our own brand of “Boreal Bum Wad” could be shipped around the world. We could clean up.
I don’t know why Canada abstained on the UN vote. Last time around we voted against the resolution altogether. What were we thinking? Why are we so reluctant to provide this simple dignity to those in need?
In our own backyard many First Nations communities do not have access to basic sanitation or clean water. There’s nothing funny about that. These necessities are recognized as basic human rights by the U.N. even if our own government refuses to join the big squat.
Here in Thunder Bay we have plenty of toilets and clean water to go around. That leaves 2.5 billion others who will have to go elsewhere.
There’s something to think about the next time you’re squatting comfortably.
