“WE CANNOT AFFORD TO WAIT. EVERYONE HAS A ROLE TO PLAY”
March 22, 2020 marks the 27th annual World Water Day. World Water Day began in 1993 to celebrate water and raise awareness of the 2.2 billion people living without access to safe water. It is about taking action to tackle the global water crisis. A core focus of World Water Day is to support the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 6: water and sanitation for all by 2030.
This year World Water Day is focusing on the link between water and climate change, with the continue goal to reach water and sanitation for all by 2030. In a world of so much uncertainty right now, thinking of the scary and daunting effects that climate change has on our environment is overwhelming. It is easy to push this day of awareness off to the side as the world focuses on Covid19. But I think today needs to be talked about, awareness brought to the fore front. There are simple steps that people can do at home to help reduce the effects of climate change.
Everyone can do something to fight climate change.
Choose one thing today:
💧Take a five minute shower.
💧Choose a plant-based meal.
💧Turn off sleeping tech.
💧Don’t throw away edible food.
💧Shop sustainably.
The reality of the world’s population continually growing is ultimately putting a strain on our water resources. Solutions to this growing concern include; protecting natural carbon sinks, such as oceans and wetlands, adopting climate- smart agricultural techniques and increasing the safe re-use of wastewater. Water is our most precious resource- we must use it responsibly. We must balance all of society’s water needs while ensuring the poorest people don’t get left behind. Today is about bringing awareness to these issues to the general public, To have these conversations throughout our daily activities. Because the reality is, if we all do 1 small thing, that’s 7.5 billion actions to help reduce our environmental impact, and that is a lot.
To learn more about World Water Day check out www.worldwaterday.org
Some more facts
- Today, 1 in 3 people – around 2.2 billion – live without safe drinking water. (WHO/UNICEF 2019)
- By 2050, up to 5.7 billion people could be living in areas where water is scarce for at least one month a year, creating unprecedented competition for water. (UNESCO 2018)
- Climate-resilient water supply and sanitation could save the lives of more than 360,000 infants every year. (UN 2018)
- If we limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, compared to 2°C, we could cut climate-induced water stress by up to 50%. (UN-Water 2019)
- Extreme weather – expected to increase in frequency and intensity because of climate change – has caused more than 90% of major disasters over the last decade. (UNDRR 2015)
- By 2040, global energy demand is projected to increase by over 25% and water demand is expected to increase by more than 50%, primarily from manufacturing, electricity generation and households. (International Energy Agency 2018/UNESCO 2018),
