Precious drops
Though around 71% of the Earth’s surface is covered with water, around 2.5% is fresh water, which living beings can use. Fresh water, which does not contain salts, is what we require for our drinking and other needs. Apart from rivers, lakes, ponds and wetlands, freshwater is also found in glaciers and in underground aquifers.
Now think about this: 69% of the fresh water that is available to us is actually stored in ice. Can you see how little is actually available to us? This is why it is so important that we conserve our fresh water resources and also use it carefully in our daily lives.
This is what World Water Day (March 22) is all about. Founded by the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, the first World Water Day was celebrated in 1993. The aim is not only to talk about the importance of fresh water but also the sustainable management of resources. What does sustainable management mean? It refers to ensuring that careful usage of a resource so that future generations will continue to have access to it.
In the case of fresh water, sustainable management involves: Avoiding overuse; Preventing pollution of water sources; and Conserving water. For 2023, the theme is Accelerating Change. This means moving fast to tackle the water crisis. Remember, water is required not just for drinking but also for sanitation purposes. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6 is “Ensure access to water and sanitation for all”.
This is a call not just to governments, policy makers, corporates and others to take action. This is as much about you as an individual. What can you do? How can you influence you family, your community, your school and others to make changes to the way they use water on a daily basis? Here are some ideas.
Remember, life is interdependent. Humans cannot live in isolation. So, the actions we take now will impact not just our lives but that of all living beings. Ensure that what you do allows life to flourish on this planet. After all, it’s the only home we have.