Today, March 22, 2011 is World Water Day:
The objective of World Water Day 2011 is to focus international attention on the impact of rapid urban population growth, industrialization and uncertainties caused by climate change, conflicts and natural disasters on urban water systems. – from un-water
Not too many moons ago, my family was in a position of knowing what is like to go without water. No need to hash out family feuds, but the end result left us with no water source while we scrambled to come up with funds to drill a well on our land. I’ve lived through hauling 5 gallon buckets of water borrowed from neighbors, showering at friends houses, waterless cooking and cleaning. Extreme conservation to say the least. I am so thankful those days are over, and I hope my family will never have to deal with it again!
Unfortunately, my short lived perils are common place for many around the world.
Worldwide water quality is declining mainly due to human activities. Increasing population growth, rapid urbanization, discharge of new pathogens and new chemicals from industries and invasive species are key factors that contribute to the deterioration of water quality. In addition, climate change will further affect water quality. Major risks are the lack of water quality data and monitoring worldwide as well as lack of knowledge about the potential impact of natural and anthropogenic pollutants on the environment and on water quality. The lack of prioritization of water quality in many countries has resulted in decreased allocation of resources, weak institutions and lack of coordination in addressing water quality challenges. – Unwater FAQ
Is there something you can do to preserve fresh water resources? Do you have the means to make a difference – on either local or global scale? Even conserving water in your own home, educating yourself and raising awareness of the world wide water crisis is a great first step. Follow and share events from around the world by following World Water Day on Facebook and Twitter. Use and search hashtags #worldwaterday and #Water2011 to learn and share your water facts and events.
Take it from one that knows first hand, you don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone! It’s so true!
It is so true that it can be hard to appreciate something until it is gone. We are so lucky to not worry much about access to safe, clean water here. My hope is that awareness of how precious water really is will prompt more people to conserve.