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ONE WORLD, ONE WATER

Well, the 3rd World Water Forum is imminent, as you may know, and there is much doubt as to its likely effectiveness in addressing already current and fast approaching water problems around the world. The Forum is to be held here in the Kansai region, portions of it taking place in Osaka, Kyoto and right up the road here in Shiga, since those regions get their drinking water from Lake Biwa, Japan's largest lake, which comprises the central portion of Shiga Prefecture. Forum promotions speak of noble goals in regard to the conservation of water worldwide, of preserving forsts and bodies of water and crystal streams for future generations, and for local resident enjoyment and health etc. I plan to be there to point out Shiga Prefecture's own plans to build a large industrial incinerator right in the middle of those virgin forests, beside those crystal streams, above those future generations' sacred Lake whence nearly 20 million people currently drink, and see if the Forum folks have anything to say about those stated motives of theirs. If you would, please visit their not-too-coherently organized site and send them an email voicing your thoughts on this foretaste of your own future water supply, wherever you are in the world. One world, one water.