Every year on March 22nd, the world comes together to recognize International World Water Day to create awareness and advocate for Sustainable Development Goal 6: “Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all by 2030.”
In 1993, The United Nations General Assembly designated the 22nd of March as the very first World Water Day. The day was originally created to help tackle the water crisis around the world, especially for marginalized groups of people facing discrimination, or continue to be overlooked when it comes to having access to clean water.
This year’s theme for the international day of recognition is ‘Leaving no one behind.” Water.org’s statistics on the current water crisis state that 844 million people are living without access to safe water and 2.3 billion people are living without access to improved sanitation.
This year, you can also do something to help increase awareness of the current crisis as well as make an impact within your local community. Here are some ways r people are participating in International World Water Day this year.
Spend a Day with Limited Access to Water
It’s easier said than done. See what it’s like to live a day e without access to proper water by limiting the access for yourself. Living in someone else’s shoes can help bring a better understanding of the difficulties many people in undeveloped countries experience throughout their daily lives.
If you don’t want to go to such an extreme, try conserving water and being more aware throughout the day of the extra water you use. Make sure to shut off the water while brushing your teeth, take shorter showers, and always check for leaks. A fun game for you and your children could be to create a list of ways to conserve water every day in your own home!
Educate Yourself and Others That It’s Not Just About The Faucet
Just because we only see water come out of our own faucet doesn’t mean that’s the only way that we can conserve a little H20. Simple things like saving your leftovers can help conserve water that is used during the creation of food as well.
Fun Fact: Did you know that grains and vegetables require less water than animal products? Why not try going vegetarian for a week? Share this information with your friends and family on social media to spread the word and help educate others as well as yourself.
Connect Yourself with Companies That Are Sharing In their Sustainable Responsibilities
Large companies like Stella Artois and Levis have developed ways to reduce the consumption of water used in the creation of their products. Levis initiative called Water<Less has enabled them to reduce the amount of water they use and has now saved more than 1 billion gallons of water. Stella Artois has a limited edition chalice you can purchase which will provide 5 years of clean water to a person in the developing world.
As a nonprofit that educates and empowers our youth globally, Up with People fights hard to create a more sustainable world to improve the future for all people. Spread the message of International World Water Day by sharing this post or by making one of your own. You can also find an event near you by visiting the International World Water Day website.
Watch this video to learn more about the water crisis in our world today.
The air is hazy from a sky that’s raining brown
No water to drink.
We play the same blame game it’s a shame
That those who live on a dollar a day
Would give it all for what I wash down my sink.
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