Water is one of the basic needs of every human being, irrespective of their age, race or background yet there are still 1 billion people who lack access to safe drinking water, and 2.4 billion who lack access to sanitation. As a result water related diseases remains the largest single cause of human sickness and death in the world today.

To change this situation will require a serious investment, much of which will have to be provided by the international community. It will also require developing nations to commit themselves to serving the poorest in society as they are the most likely to be without adequate access.

Private investment in the provision of water services can have a role to play, and water charging may be appropriate as most people would agree that safe water you pay for is better than dirty water that is free. However some form of regulation should ensure that the private sector maintains safety levels and does not abuse its position.

While the provision of water and sanitation are probably the clearest examples of the need for an effective environmental policy, there are wider issues which should not be neglected in the quest for economic growth. One of the greatest challenges in the coming decades will be adapting to the effects of climate change.

The rise in world temperature which has already begun, and is almost certain to continue, has largely been caused by Western nations emitting huge volumes of carbon dioxide (CO2), the most common greenhouse gas. Ironically it is the poorer nations, who emit much less carbon dioxide, that will be most affected by the higher temperatures and more volatile weather conditions. Increased water shortages in some areas, and increased flooding in others, will have a major impact on many of the poorest nations. These may also bring an increase in famine, an expansion of uncultivatible desert, and more dangerous tropical diseases.

It is essential for developed nations, who are the primary producers of greenhouse gases, to reduce the volume of carbon dioxide that they produce. More efficient technology is likely to be the best hope for the future as it will allow consumers to maintain their current standard of living while reducing the output of carbon dioxide.

However governments also have a role in encouraging the development and use of such technology, by making the production of greenhouse gases more expensive, either by a carbon tax or by carbon emissions permits which can be sold for a profit by those who reduce their CO2 emissions.

If these measures are implemented it may be possible to avert a global disaster, but at least some climate change is inevitable as the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere is already higher than normal. This means that it is important for those regions which are most vulnerable to plan ahead, so that they can begin to adapt to the new conditons. By preparing communities for the future it will help to minimise the extent of the damage which could occur.

The short-term cost of protecting the environment is tiny when compared to the long-term cost of damaging it.