Water indeed transforms people’s lives, especially that half of all workers on Earth are employed in water-related sectors, according to the United Nations. Unfortunately, millions of these workers are unrecognized and unprotected.
Why a World Water Day?
Why a World Water Day? The UN Water website answers that “it is an international observance and an opportunity to learn more about water related issues, be inspired to tell others and take action to make a difference”.
When did it first take place?
World Water Day dates back to the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development where an international observance for water was recommended.
The United Nations General Assembly responded by designating 22 March 1993 as the first World Water Day. It has been held annually since then.
Each year, UN-Water, the entity that coordinates the UN’s work on water and sanitation, sets a theme for World Water Day corresponding to a current or future challenge. The engagement campaign is coordinated by one or several of the UN-Water Members with a related mandate.
Better Water, Better Jobs
According to the United Nations, almost half of the world’s workers, 1.5 billion people, work in water related sectors and nearly all jobs depend on water and those that ensure its safe delivery. Yet the millions of people who work in water are often not recognized or protected by basic labor rights. The theme in 2016, water and jobs, is focusing on how enough quantity and quality of water can change workers’ lives and livelihoods – and even transform societies and economies.
Five Clever Ways to Save Water at Home
We are responsible for ensuring that we are using water in the best way possible, regarding its conservation. Here are some clever ways to save water at home:
Check pipes for leaks: Remember a small drip from a worn faucet washer can waste 20 gallons of water per day and marger leaks mean hundreds of gallons.
Soak your dishes: You might have seen your mom doing this inorder to get tough grease or baked-on food off without having to scrub hard. But it’s also a great way to save water. So, fill your vessel with water (up above half way) and put your soiled dishes in there for an hour before washing them.
Take shorter showers: Make sure that you turn off the shower while soaping up and then turn it back to rinse. Install low-flow showerheads can also help use less water than a regular showerhead.
Turn off the tap while you brush: You should not keep the tap running while brushing your teeth. Turn off after you wet your brush and fill a glass for mouth rinsing.
Avoid using the toilet as a wastebasket: Every time you flush a facial tissue or a cigarette butt, you are wasting five to seven gallons of water.
Water under pressure
Demand for water is expected to increase by 2050 as the world’s population is forecast to grow by one-third to more than 9 billion, according to the United Nations.
This in turn will lead to a 70% increase in demand for food, putting more pressure on water through farming, which is already the biggest consumer of water.
As climate change contributes to rising sea levels and extreme weather, at least one in four people will live in a country with chronic or recurring shortages of fresh water by 2050, the United Nations estimates, making it more important to focus on expanding rainwater harvesting and recycling wastewater.
Connor said funding for projects was still often based on “investment in pumps and pipes” rather than a more holistic view, taking into account water’s key role in building a sustainable economy as part of the new global development goals.
More investment in renewable energy such as solar and wind, which use very little water, is also crucial in reducing demand for water, Connor said.
How will you mark this day? Share your clever tips, photos, and videos by mentioning @greenareaen on Twitter and using the hashtag #GreenareaForWorldWaterDay
