Abstract
With their new campaign “I am made of water”, the work group on water of Amigos de la Tierra, Argentina (Friends of the Earth, Argentina) wants to call attention to the unjust and increasingly precarious drinking water situation in Argentina. This situation is characterized by great geographical, climatic and socio-economic differences between the dry and comparatively poor north and west of the country, on the one hand, and the humid, fertile Pampas and Buenos Aires region in the east, on the other. The basic climatic differences are intensified by differential effects of climate change on these regions. Additionally to this disparity in natural drinking water supplies, the national government employs a pricing and supply policy that favours the relatively rich, humid urban areas, while disadvantaging rural areas and the poor city fringes with low drinking water connectivity. The authors will follow up on how this unjust pricing system and lack of education have strengthened environment-damaging habits among the general public in those areas where water supply, at first glance, does not seem to be a problem. The role of cognitive factors, such as beliefs and (lack of) knowledge about water-related facts in creating and maintaining these unsustainable behaviours is discussed. Finally a threefold initiative for change is suggested, including personal education, strengthening social awareness and creating structural foundations as constitutional law warranty for access to water for fair prices.