Starting from bottom of current human wealth (or something similar), there are about a billion lacking reliable access to safe water and more than 2 billion lacking good means to dispose of waterborne waste. These are not small matters. New US EPA Director Wheeler says water is a larger environmental issue than climate change. One need not agree, need not agree that they need to be compared, and need not get all their environmental guidance from a former coal-industry lobbyist. (There I said it. Let the fur fly) But staying with water, EPA has abundant opportunities to address coal mining wastes and coal-ash storage. Mercury in surface water from fugitive emissions. Perhaps they will. They might also disagree with President about other surface-water regulations that have little or nothing to do with coal. Or lead or perfluorooctane in US public drinking water. There are many ways to convert such words to actions. It would be more for Department of State or UN Representative to address water issues in other countries. Perhaps they heard Mr. Wheeler and feel inspired.
Water is a big topic. == But if we get too political here a thread kill will allow other discussions to continue unimpeded. So I tickle the dragon again. Assume US is going as fast as it can on 'decarbonation'. No higher gear to shift into. Even with that, real progress in water (domestic or foreign) would be a very good thing.
Wrap your head around vast progress that has been made on behalf of better-off billions. Then make a case that similar is impossible in Africa, India, or such like.
gates, bezos, buffet, zuckerberg, and a few others could probably solve the whole problem if they so desired
"Few others" lets you off the hook for not knowing what zillionaires in other countries are up to. One country particularly comes to mind for weak philanthropy. Da, eto pravda.
