World Water Day, on 22 March every year, is about focusing attention on the importance of water. The World Water Day 2020 theme, ‘Water and Climate Change’, explores how water and climate change are inextricably linked. Adapting to the water effects of climate change will protect health and save lives. Using water more efficiently will reduce greenhouse gases.
We cannot afford to wait:
Uncertainty about the future cannot be an excuse for inaction today; if the world is to limit global temperature increases to well below 2°C, we must act immediately. Climate delay is almost as dangerous as climate denial. Every country in the world must work more quickly. Extreme weather events are making water more scarce, more unpredictable, more polluted or all three.
Humans need water to survive, as do all the systems we rely on: sanitation, healthcare, education, business and industry.
Action plans to tackle climate change need to be integrated across different sectors and coordinated across borders. And they must have one thing in common: safe and sustainable water management. Climate policy makers must put water at the heart of these action plans. Water flows across sectors & borders – working together to manage water more efficiently fights climate change, protects communities & business.
Water can help fight climate change:
💧Wetlands soak up carbon dioxide from the air.
💧Vegetation protects against flooding and erosion.
💧Rainwater can be stored for dry periods.
💧Wastewater can be reused.
💧Climate-smart agriculture.
Fighting climate change will open up vast opportunities for the economy in many areas. We need to embrace circular production systems and use water much more efficiently.
As the global population grows, so does the demand for water, which depletes natural resources and damages the environment in many places. Solutions include protecting carbon sinks such as oceans and wetlands, adopting climate-smart agricultural techniques, and increasing the safe reuse of wastewater.
Water is our most precious resource – we must use it more responsibly. We must balance all of society’s water needs while ensuring the poorest people don’t get left behind.
Everyone has a role to play:
Choose one thing today:
💧Take a five minute shower.
💧Choose a plant-based meal.
💧Turn off sleeping tech.
💧Don’t throw away edible food.
💧Shop sustainably.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said: “Warnings are necessary. But fear will not get the job done.”
Yes, climate change can feel scary and daunting. But there is one simple step you can take immediately that will make a big difference: don’t waste water!
Thousands of people are logging their climate actions on the United Nation’s ActNow website. Check out all the easy lifestyle changes that will help save the planet.
Water Powered Technologies supports World Water Day
Water Powered Technologies produce Water Pumps which deliver water without the use of fuel or electricity. Women and girls are responsible for water collection in eight out of ten households with water off-premises. The Papa Pump enables remote and developing communities to deliver water for free and reduces the need for human water collection, allowing children to spend more time in school and women to focus on business and farming.
For more information regarding our fuel-free pumps, click here.
For more information regarding World Water Day, click here.