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As the world charts a more sustainable future, the crucial interplay among water, food and energy is one of the most formidable challenges we face. Without water there is no dignity and no escape from poverty. Yet the Millennium Development Goal target for water and sanitation is among those on which many countries lag the most.
在全世界策划一个更可持续的前景之际，水、粮食与能源的相互作用是我们面临的最巨大挑战之一。没有水，就没有尊严，也无法摆脱贫穷。然而，《千年发展目标》里水和环境卫生的指标却属于许多国家最落后的指标。
In little over a generation, 60 per cent of the global population will be living in towns and cities, with much of the increase taking place in the inner city slums and squatter settlements of the developing world. The theme of this year’s observance of World Water Day -- “Water for Cities” -- highlights some of the main challenges of this increasingly urban future.
约略再过一代，全球人口的60%将住在城市，其中大部分增加人数将出现在发展中国家的市中心贫民区和棚户区。今年纪念世界水日的主题——“城市用水”——凸显这个日益城市化的前景所具有的一些主要挑战。
Urbanization brings opportunities for more efficient water management and improved access to drinking water and sanitation. At the same time, problems are often magnified in cities, and are currently outpacing our ability to devise solutions.
城市化带来更有效管理用水和更能获得饮用水和环境卫生的机会。同时，城市里的各种问题往往扩大，目前逐渐超出我们拟订解决办法的能力。
Over the past decade, the number of urban dwellers who lack access to a water tap in their home or immediate vicinity has risen by an estimated 114 million, and the number of those who lack access to the most basic sanitation facilities has risen by 134 million. This 20 per cent increase has had a hugely detrimental impact on human health and on economic productivity: people are sick and unable to work.
过去十年，家里或附近没有水龙头可用的城市居民的人数估计增加了1.14亿，没有最基本的环卫设施可用的城市居民的人数则增加了1.34亿。这个20%增加数额对人类健康和经济生产力都有极其有害的影响：人民生病不能工作。
