Matt Damon is advocating for water (and, no, his efforts have nothing to do with Oceans 11). He’s currently asking people to sign a petition that will encourage senators to sign the "Durbin-Corker Water for the World Act of 2009," which will help 100 million people gain access to clean water and sanitation by 2015.

On his trip to Zambia, Damon got a reality check about world access to clean water; he met a 14 year old girl who had to walk 2 miles to get to any water source. She had aspired to become a nurse, but, because she spent so much time walking to collect water, she never had a moment to spare to follow her dreams. Because water collection is often, sadly, considered “a woman’s job” in many developing countries, women are much less likely to have the opportunity to go to school or pursue a desired occupation.

Damon also saw, firsthand, that lack of a reliable water source was “holding back businesses.” Since many factories must spend hours getting the water they need to operate, they work at only a fraction of their optimal capacity.

We all take our sinks and Dasani bottles so much for granted. Heck, CGG found that we in the US even have the option to water our plants with drinking water. Let’s give the same opportunity to people—so that all women in the world can follow their dreams, and all businesses can make a profit they deserve. Ask your senators to support the Water for the World Act!

By CGG contributing reporter, Shamsa Mangalji