World Water Day

I apologize for any links that may not work. The World Water Conference took place this past March, so any links referenced to YAHOO may already be dead.
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Can you imagine a world where you didn't have any water to bathe, drink, use to cook, or for proper sanitation? Many live this way everyday, and the water they do use they have to get by traveling for miles everyday, unassured that it is even clean enough to drink once they get it home. Water is such a precious commodity in so many places around our world, yet it is something we take for granted.

That is why I wished to let you know about World Water Day.

Every year since 1992 (United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ), March 22nd has been designated as World Water Day. This year holds special significance in light of the prevailing crisis in many parts of our world regarding water scarcity, and the outlook for the future based on current trends and climate change.

Though some might see this issue as unimportant, it is the crux of our survival. Without water, people have no crops, no way to provide proper sanitation (which breeds diseases like cholera), and no water to drink. Privatization of water in South and Central America has resulted in people dying because of pumping water from polluted lakes and streams because they are too poor to afford the prices of privatized water. And it is happening all over the world. Overpopulation also leads to shortages, and governments that have no contingency plans in place for when droughts occur.

This then is one special day among all days of the year to devote to promoting concrete actions within countries regarding preserving water resources for all, and finding new and better ways to provide safe clean drinking water to those who live in these countries, and that includes the United States. Each year, one of various UN agencies involved in water issues takes the lead in promoting and coordinating international activities for World Water Day. World Water Day, or "World Day for Water" 2005 also marked the start of the second "UN International Decade for Action for Water", also referred to as the Water for Life Decade 2005-2015.

This is then the time to focus public attention on the critical water issues of our time. Participating agencies and Non Governmental Organizations have highlighted issues such as a billion people being without access to safe water for drinking and the role of gender in family access to safe water. I believe there must also be hands on instruction for residents in poor countries in learning how to build their own pumps, and contingency plans for storing and sanitizing water for future use in drought stricken areas. There is no denying that this is one of the most urgent environmental issues of our time. What we do in this decade will define the future for our children.

I then applaud all organizations which concetrate on this mist important goal, and all those who are advocating for clean, safe, and accessible water for all people of the world, because it is our right. Below you will then see some sources regarding World Water Day, and the link for one organization that is taking this task on. Please take a look at them, and mark your calendar for World Water Day on March 22.

You can also make a pledge to yourself that you will limit the amount of water you use in a day. Whether it be limiting your showers or baths, the amount of water you use for washing your car, or simply taking part in supporting organizations like those listed, you can help make this world more sustainable one for all of us. It really does begin with us. And that is important.

Water Partners International

World Water Day.org

Overhead view of current drought in Kenya

UN Tells Kenya To Brace For Prolonged Drought