Here I have posted the last two components of the Resource Management Project. For this part of the project we were allowed to choose or create our own elements. I decided to make a petition to encourage support from around the world (we were required to have at least 100 signatures). I also made a PSA to promote domestic awareness, which I will present at my school exhibition.

Petition Website:

http://www.petitiononline.com/mod_perl/petition-sign.cgi?cleanbrz

To learn more about my project, click on the link above. If you wish to support this issue, please sign the petition.

PSA:

Research Management Project Letter to Congress

This next assignment is another requirement for our Resource Management Project. We had to research resources being mismanaged by the world's governments. In addition to all other components, we had to write a letter to a world leader or region representative. I chose to write my letter to Barbara Boxer, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.

The Honorable Barbara Boxer

Room # 112 Hart Senate Office Building

United States Senate

Washington, DC 20510

Dear Senator Boxer:

I am writing to bring to your attention the current sanitation crisis in Brazil. Brazil provides one of the worst public health systems known to man; according to UNICEF and the World Health Organization, 46 million Brazilians do not have basic access to sanitation. The key components of sanitation are waste management systems, access to clean water, and controlling pollution. Just imagine: in some major cities, such as Sao Paolo, water supply is assured until the year 2025. Most Brazilians do not dispose of their waste properly either; an estimated 53% of the population is not connected to the main sewage system. People are dumping tons of waste into the rivers without realizing the consequences.

This lack of sanitation is contributing to even greater consequences for the population’s health. Approximately 700,000 annual hospitalizations have been attributed to public health issues over the past decade. Unfortunately, children are the primary victims; death from infectious, waterborne diseases such as diarrhea, typhoid, and cholera are extremely common. In the year 2005, the World Health Organization estimates 4500 children died every day as a result of inadequate hygiene and contact with contaminated water. How is it possible that people are still dying from these easily preventable and treatable illnesses? These are pointless deaths; by implementing basic sanitation in disadvantaged countries these appalling casualties can be avoided.

Although the Brazilian government has taken steps towards resolving this threatening matter, progress is slow and their methods have been relatively inefficient.

In the early 1970s, it launched its national sanitation plan, PLANSA, aimed to develop water systems and waste management. So far, its main activity has been to attempt distribute the sanitation responsibilities throughout the country. Because of lack of communication among government branches, this plan failed to produce any results.

How can some of us be living so comfortably while others are struggling to live because they lack basic needs? Water and hygiene are essential to human health and sustainability, and without a solution these increasingly helpless civilizations will soon hit rock bottom. Drastic measures must be taken to create restrictions on companies to implement water-purifying techniques and better water drainage and waste treatment systems, and to educate the public about the importance of sanitation. To finance these potential projects, the government should encourage and create incentives for companies to invest, such as tax breaks and grant money.

In order for Brazil to achieve universal sanitation, we must offer our assistance. I propose for our government to step forward and provide support, and request to the U.N. to pressure Brazil to come forward with a plan for public health. With many nations encouraging immediate change, the Brazilian government will undoubtedly take a firm hand in solving this crisis. As Chairwoman of the Committee on Environment and Public Works, I urge you to introduce this issue for discussion and communicate with the Committee on Foreign Relations to design a strategy to approach the Brazilian government. As an international superpower, America needs to help its struggling neighbors. Thank you for your attention. If there is any way I can assist you or if you have further questions, I have listed my contact information below.

Sincerely,

Sara Cardullo

saracardullo@gmail.com

5580 La Jolla Blvd. #396

La Jolla, CA

92037