評論
打印
As the world charts a more sustainable future, the crucial interplay among water, food and energy is one of the most formidable challenges we face. Without water there is no dignity and no escape from poverty. Yet the Millennium Development Goal target for water and sanitation is among those on which many countries lag the most.
在全世界策劃一個更可持續的前景之際，水、糧食與能源的相互作用是我們面臨的最巨大挑戰之一。沒有水，就沒有尊嚴，也無法擺脫貧窮。然而，《千年發展目標》里水和環境衛生的指標卻屬于許多國家最落后的指標。
In little over a generation, 60 per cent of the global population will be living in towns and cities, with much of the increase taking place in the inner city slums and squatter settlements of the developing world. The theme of this year’s observance of World Water Day -- “Water for Cities” -- highlights some of the main challenges of this increasingly urban future.
約略再過一代，全球人口的60%將住在城市，其中大部分增加人數將出現在發展中國家的市中心貧民區和棚戶區。今年紀念世界水日的主題——“城市用水”——凸顯這個日益城市化的前景所具有的一些主要挑戰。
Urbanization brings opportunities for more efficient water management and improved access to drinking water and sanitation. At the same time, problems are often magnified in cities, and are currently outpacing our ability to devise solutions.
城市化帶來更有效管理用水和更能獲得飲用水和環境衛生的機會。同時，城市里的各種問題往往擴大，目前逐漸超出我們擬訂解決辦法的能力。
Over the past decade, the number of urban dwellers who lack access to a water tap in their home or immediate vicinity has risen by an estimated 114 million, and the number of those who lack access to the most basic sanitation facilities has risen by 134 million. This 20 per cent increase has had a hugely detrimental impact on human health and on economic productivity: people are sick and unable to work.
過去十年，家里或附近沒有水龍頭可用的城市居民的人數估計增加了1.14億，沒有最基本的環衛設施可用的城市居民的人數則增加了1.34億。這個20%增加數額對人類健康和經濟生產力都有極其有害的影響：人民生病不能工作。
