10/10/2017 4 ways to understand one of the worlds most overlooked problems |

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WE HUMANS

4 ways to understand one of the worlds most

overlooked problems
Jul 14, 2014 / Thu-Huong Ha

Without a loo, what do you do? Its a question dear to journalist Rose George (TED Talk:
Lets talk crap. Seriously.) In her talk, George shares a shocking fact: Forty percent of the
world has no adequate toilet. What happens to clean water and public health in areas
without adequate toilets, you ask? In her book, The Big Necessity: The Unmentionable
World of Human Waste and Why It Matters, George examines the places where sanitation
or lack thereof presents a major concern. To find out more about one of the worlds most
overlooked problems, check out thesefour recommendations, three from George and one
from an unexpected toilet hero.

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1. Shame Villagers About Toilets, Save a Childs Life

Rose George
Scientific American, November 19, 2012

Changing peoples behavior can be extremely difficult, even when they know that
behavior is dangerous, such as pooping in the open and contaminating their environment.
Community-Led Total Sanitation is a fascinating methodology which like advertising
uses peoples emotions (disgust, shame, pride) to change behavior.

2. Why We Must Have Relief from the Toilet Barbarians

Rose George
Yorkshire Post, February 21, 2012

It always baffles me that people will protest about the removal of waste disposal when its
garbage collection, but not when public bathrooms are closed. And they are being closed
down at a dismaying rate. Are public bathrooms a necessity and a mark of a civilized
society, or just a convenience?

3. Dirty Little Secret: The Loo that Saves Lives in Liberia

Rose George
The Guardian, February 3, 2012

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf made history by becoming Africas first female president.
But she is also historically significant for her willingness to talk about toilets and how good
sanitation can benefit development, the economy and health. In 2011, I went to meet her.

4. Matt Damon goes on strike!

Watch the video, then dive into the text on water.org.
water.org,February 11, 2013

Matt Damon is the only global celebrity to have understood that you cant talk about
providing clean water without talking about sanitation. Hes not afraid to get his hands
dirty or talk dirty: good for him.

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Rose George
Let's talk crap. Seriously.

Featured image:Sarah Bramley for water.org/Flickr

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Thu-Huong Ha writes and edits for TED. She likes to eat and learn, at times in tandem.

bathrooms environment health poop public health recommended reading Rose George
sanitation toilets waste water

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