So as we all know, technology has a mind of it's own. That was the case for this documentary we watched! We watched the first half of "Thirst".
Summary:
Thirst is a non-narrated documentary which takes a look at the issue of water privatization all around the world. Going back to our reading 31, some of us learned that water privatization has some issues concerning human rights, corruption of the government, and economic dilemmas. Thirst takes a deeper look into this and shows us the corporate drive to control and profit from our water. This film also showed us what other communities such as Bolivia and India are doing about the issue of water privatization. "Thirst" also gave us an inside look at conferences that are held and attended my many people such as members of the World Bank who discuss this issue and are really only looking at profits and money figures, rather than the concerns of the citizens.....they were all drinking bottled water.
Stockton, California:
The main focus from what we have watched in this film was about a town called Stockton in California. Since 2001, the issue of water privatization concerned the citizens because through privatization, water could be raised 30-300% in prices being managed and operated by OMI-Thames. Stockton's Mayor Podesto wants to approve privatization of water because it will save the government >$172 million over 20 years if approved (although I have read on many sites that it was $600 million). The citizens were enraged because they want to have a voice and vote for this issue. Citizens of Stockton are saying "Water for life, not for profit!"
What I Found Through Further Research:
After going through multiple websites about the Stockton, California water issues, I found a very informative site from the Sierra Club website. The Sierra Club is the oldest and largest grassroots environmental organization.
After 7 years of this on-going battle between the government and the citizens of Stockton, the city council decided in favor of local water control, marking a victory for the people of this town! By a vote of 5-o, the city council decided to end the water and sewer services contract. Dale Stocking, Conservation Chair of the Delta/Sierra Group of the Sierra Club stated, "After seven years of fighting for local control of water, it is great to see such a victory for the people of Stockton, and we hope it will serve as an example and inspiration for communities across the country."
"Be the change you wish to see in the world." ~Mahatma Gandhi
Choh's Final Thoughts:
This week really opened up my eyes to a brand new issue for me concerning water privatization. It was a huge global issue I didn't know much about! I am glad we were able to read about this issue, watch part of a documentary, and discuss and share thoughts about privatization of water.
Mayor Podesto stated, "...it's time to think of Stockton's citizens as out customers." What do you think about this statement??
Dr. V said something in class the other day that I think will inspire us to think outside of the box...
"Think globally, act locally."
Have a great Spring Break!
"Be the change you wish to see in the world." ~Mahatma Gandhi
Posts
22 comments:
Kathy-
Another amazing post!! I loved that picture that you posted. It really told the story for itself. You had a lot of information that I don't even remember hearing! Way to get the extra research as well. I think it's crazy how we might have to pay for water like gallons of gas in the future. It's crazy. Have a great spring break and keep up the good work!
Great review, Kathy! I love that you mentioned how everyone at that conference was drinking bottled water - I remember laughing to myself at that point in the film (even though it's really not funny!). Also, great job following up with what happened in Stockton. That's so exciting that local water control was chosen and not privatization! Way to go, citizens of Stockton!
As far as citizens being customers, I disagree. Customers usually don't have a share in every company so they're not really a part of the organization and therefore the decision making, but I think a citizen is definitely part of his or her town and deserves to have a say in what's going on!
Kathy-
Great review!!!! You always have such informative and fun to read posts.
I liked the comment at the end where you quoted Dr. V. I remember thinking to myself "what does that mean?" when she said it. Thinking globally is an extremely hard thing to do. Acting locally isn't hard, its just time consuming. For me what it all comes down to is KNOWING whats going on in the world, and acting on the things that I have the ability to change. Thankfully, nobody is trying to privatize the water anywhere I live, I guess I don't even know how I would respond to the issue. Have a good break!! --S
Kathy,
Good review, I liked the pictures they serve as good reminders. I had never thought about water privatization before this week, it's hard to think that the water we need to live could become something we have to pay large sums for. Will we have to pay for air some day? Good Stuff!!
Hey Kathy! Technology doesn’t work the greatest at times but you did a great job on summarizing the first half of the documentary. I also never knew about water prioritization before last week. It is sad to think that all this issues concerning the environment we would have never known about if it wasn’t for this class. I think Dr. V’s statement brings hope to change in the environment. I always think that the recycling I do or the organic food I buy isn’t going to help the world but if everyone helped locally it could improve things globally. Great post=)
Kathy
First of all, I was so happy to read your "What I found through further research" portion of this! I'm glad that the people of Stockton got what they wanted and stood up for what they deserved. I actually announced Dr. V's quote "Think globally, act locally" to my family over spring break. This class is definitely getting to me!
Heather
Kathy--
You always make my reading so fun and exciting the colors you use and the wording are just so fun! I love the quote from Dr. V that was great and so true... but I do think that it is something easier said then done? In addition the portion about tech. having a mind of its own cracked me up! You did a wonderful job researching and finding further information for the class on your own great job Kathy!
I am glad to see that the people won the battle..Once water starts being privatized it will spread like wildfire, I think. You're review was really good!! Good research too!
Kathy-
Good Post! Its amazing that Thames could raise the price of water from 30-300% thats crazy to think about. Being a college student I have no idea how I would be able to afford that and how I would manage without something as important as water.
GOod review Kathy! Loved the picture...You really summarized the film! I agree with you on the fact that citizens are not customers. I think that label that was put on the citizens really came out in their favor in the end..and way to quote Dr.V! Impressive! lol great job
Good review! I think that quote Dr. V said was really eye opening to all of us. Meaning we can all make a difference with what we at home. I thought this film was interesting and I think the one word title made it powerful. I can't believe they were handing out bottled water!
I was also shocked that the people at the conference were drinking bottled water as they were talking about water conservation. What a contradiction. I think that it is really wrong that the people of Stockton, CA need to be fighting so hard in order to be able to vote on the issue of water privatization in their town. We are in a democracy. Everyone should have a say, especially if approving water privatization could increase their water prices 30-300%. That is crazy!! I was really happy to read that after seven years of fighting, the people of Stockton finally gained local control of their water.
Yo Kathy.
Really liked the review! And I like how ya incorporated Dr. V's quote in there as well! It was definitely something to think about! Have a good one!
Steve
Hey Kathy!
I really enjoy reading your posts because you use such bright colors, and also the content is great! I also think it's crazy that this is a global issue, yet I bet most of us didn't even know about water privatization until taking this class! Maybe environmental courses should be mandatory in high school or college, so that more people are aware of these important topics. About Mayor Pedesto's quote, I think treating citizens like costumers in this situation is a bad idea. Of course costumers are "valued people" and should be treated fairly, but the other side to that is profit. Water should not be a product used to make profit, so I disagree with the Mayor in that sense. But overall, GREAT JOB with this review and keep up the good work! =D
Great post Kathy! The pictures at the beginning of your review were very touching, very appropriate. I looked more at the sites you linked to in your furthur research section, thank you for that, it was interesting. Keep up the great work!
Nice post Kathy! I don't know about you but if I lived in Stockton, I wouldn't want to be labels as customers of Stockton instead of simply residents. With the mayor saying that, it seems as if he can go two ways with it. More money collection or pricing whats right for the customers.
Great post! Water privatization was a new issue for me as well, even though sometimes i wondered if water was going to become a huge problem like gaz. I guess I didn't realize it was already heading to that point at other places. I really liked how you organized the pictures.
See in class.
I think it is interesting to note the conferences that are held and attended my many people such as members of the World Bank who discuss water privitization and are really only looking at profits and money figures, rather than the concerns of the citizens.....they were all drinking bottled water. Maybe they should stop and think about what the are forcing on those that they have power over. And besides, they should know that some bottled water is just recycled tap water!
Kathy-
Great review! You made lots of great points that were in the movie, that I forgot about or didnt even hear. After reading your post it's like we watched to entire movie. How ironic is it that everyone was drinking bottled water.. sometimes i just shake my head!
Great job on doing further research! It's nice to hear that there was success in the city of Stockton... If only there were that kind of success throughout the world! "Think globally, act locally" is a quote that has influenced me as well :)
Nice work! It's crazy to think how companies are actually taking over something that everyone has a right to. It's also iteresting to see how areas with little water have comeup with simple ideas to conservse the little water they have. It's good to see that the people in Stockton are standing up against the big companies
Kathy~ Great post! And way to go on the awesome research as well!! I also thought it was kind of funny on how everyone was drinking bottle water in the film when they were fighting over the water ownership!! Keep up the great work!!
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