Water is everywhere and is used for every aspect of our lives from producing the clothing on our backs to the fluids we drink. Even the metal that was mined for your computer’s parts needed water to be extracted from the earth. It goes without saying that water is essential. So, why don’t we value it? This year on March 22nd, World Water Day offers resources to help reeducate us about the importance of water and how to truly value it like the blue gold that it is.
”How we can better protect this vital resource. The value of water is about much more than its price.”
A lot of us say that value water. But, actions speak louder than words. From billion-dollar industries to billions of individual households, our actions show a worrying disregard when it comes to understanding the importance of clean water. According to the River Blue documentary, the fashion industry is responsible for polluting 70% of the rivers in China. Agriculture is estimated to account for 70% of the world’s water use, with most of it being wasted through improper irrigation systems. Individuals like you and I aren’t much better. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the average American household wastes nearly 10,000 gallons of water yearly. And, some of that water is wasted by simply letting water run during small tasks like brushing our teeth or watering our lawns multiple times per day. So, when everyone is at fault for how we devalue water, how can we all learn to value it better?
What Is World Water Day?
By recording – and celebrating – all the different ways water benefits our lives, we can value… and safeguard it for everyone.
World Water Day was actually an initiative that began in the 90s. It was presented by the United Nations General Assembly in Rio de Janiero on 1992 to being on March 22, 1993 as a day to “support the achievement of sustainable development goal 6: water and sanitation for all by 2030.” Several decades later there is still work to be done to achieve that goal. In 2017, 2.2 billion people still lacked access to safely managed water with 2 out of 5 health care facilities in the world lacking access to water.
Since the first World Water Day, there has been a theme that focuses on the importance of clean water. This year’s theme centers around starting a conversation about the value of water. While you can go on the website to download the report to view water use, storage and waste statistics worldwide, this year’s focus is more so about sharing our stories to start a conversation about we can protect this valuable resource.
Facts About The Water Crisis
World wide water scarcity and pollution are major threats to ecosystems and communities having a chance of survival. Here are a few facts showing the impact devaluing water has on humanity and our planet as a whole.
- Climate change will have its most direct impact on child survival and threats to water and sanitation.
- 700 million people worldwide could be displaced by intense water scarcity by 2030.
- Over 2 billion people live in countries experiencing high water stress.
- More people die from unsafe water than from all forms of violence, including war.
- Most Americans have access to safe drinking water, but potentially harmful contaminants (arsenic to copper to lead) have been found in the tap water of every state.
- Industrial water consumption is responsible for 22% of global water use.
- 80% of wastewater flows back into the ecosystem without being treated or reused
- Businesses can use some wastewater– using process water for cooling or heating, or rainwater from roof collection for toilet flushing, irrigation or vehicle washing.
How Is The UN Valuing Water?
For me, water is synonymous with protection. A well-managed water cycle… is a defense against disease and indignity.
~ Antonio Guterrest
The U.N’s Secretary General Antonio Guterrest has made it clear that the UN understands that they are NOT on track to meet their goal to end water insecurity by 2030. “Progress must be quadrupled for access to water to be universal,” he said in a statement released for World Water Day. “Let us make a commitment to intensify our efforts to truly value water so that all can enjoy equitably this most precious resource.” Part of those efforts involve 161 countries signing a joint statement to ‘achieve good governance and increase water use efficiency.’ While the specifics aren’t known, they would fall under the helm of the sustainable development goal #6. This goal addresses the current water crisis by raising awareness about and tracking water use systems to prompt better actions for how we use water.
How Can We Value Water Better?
Small conscious changes are the best way to reduce water waste. Much like living a sustainable lifestyle in general, these water-saving changes are simple to follow and quick to adopt as an everyday part of your lives.
- Turn faucets off when not using them. Make a conscious effort to turn off the faucet while brushing your teeth instead of allowing it to run. The same can be said when washing dishes- only have the faucet running when you absolutely need it.
- Water plants naturally or plant local plants. Try placing your indoor plants outdoors every now and then for them to soak have a natural watering session. Some people leave plants in the bathroom to allow the humidity to quench thirsty leaves. For your outdoor garden, look for plants that are native to your region so that they will adjust better to the local weather. If you have a thirsty lawn try water it just a little less to conserve water.
- Wash polyester less. Microplastics are small plastic fibers that come off of polyester and nylon clothing. These small pieces of plastic are known to wash into the ocean from our washing machines where they can pollute local water sources and harm marine who mistake them for food.
- Eat more plants. Try swapping 1 meat-based meal for a plant-based meal like a chickpea curry or a minestrone soup. Raising cattle and processing meat takes up a lot of water. According to the U.N, one-quarter ponder burger sucks of 1695 liters of water.
- Buy organic. Swap a conventional t-shirt for an organic cotton one and you can save around 1,900 gallons of water.
- Petition your local government. Create or sign a petition demanding that policies better regulate the use of freshwater and disposal of wastewater.