* Any views expressed in this opinion piece are those of the author and not of Thomson Reuters Foundation.
It's that time of year again....
November 19th is upon us. You may be asking yourself why this is such a significant day in my calendar. It's simple - November 19th is World Toilet Day, the day when we can and should be talking about toilets. World Toilet Day 2015 marks the eve of the Millennium Development Goals. World Toilet Day 2015 also comes on the heels of the global community agreeing to Agenda 2030 and a transformative sustainable development agenda. So it is fitting that the theme for this year is toilets and nutrition; a theme which demonstrates the cross-cutting importance of toilets for social development and human health, the environment, and national economies.
It is not widely known, but there is growing evidence to support the fact that diarrhoea resulting from poor sanitation and hygiene impacts upon children's physical and cognitive development. In turn, this can cost nations billions of dollars in lost productivity and sick days. In addition to the moral imperatives of dignity, privacy, equity, and good health, toilets can provide additional benefits.
Our waste is already used for fertiliser, taking advantage of the nutrients it contains. However, if we harnessed the biogas from human waste produced in a year through open defecation, it would be valued at $200 million (natural gas comparison). If we converted that into electricity, we would power 10 million homes given current average global annual electricity consumption. These economic benefits can act as a catalyst for entrepreneurs, help to close the gap in sanitation financing, and incentivise expansion of sanitation services. From an environmental perspective, this means better quality water, more hygienic environments, and reduced pressure on forests through a fuel alternative to wood and charcoal.
Sanitation makes sense and our waste is a resource that, when harnessed, helps to reduce diarrhoea, improve the environment, and can improve nutrition through improved soil conditions and better crops.
If you want to join the conversation, check out www.worldtoiletday.org or #sanitationis
I dare you to talk poo tomorrow!
