World Water Day: Date, History, Significance, Celebration
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| World Water Day (March 22): History, Significance, How To Save Water At Home. Photo KnowInsiders |
When is World Water Day?
World Water Day is held annually on 22 March as a means of focusing attention on the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources. This Day is an opportunity to learn more about water related issues, be inspired to tell others and take action to make a difference. Water is an essential building block of life. It is more than just essential to quench thirst or protect health; water is vital for creating jobs and supporting economic, social, and human development.
A new World Water Development Report is released each year on or near World Water Day, to provide decision-makers with tools to formulate and implement sustainable water policies. This report is coordinated by UNESCO’s World Water Development Programme (WWAP) on behalf of UN-Water. The annual theme for World Water Day is aligned with the focus of the report.
| Symbols World Water Day's main symbol is the shape of a water drop in the UN's color blue. Photographs of water being used or in rivers, reservoirs, lakes or seas are widely displayed on this occasion |
What is the History of World Water Day?
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As per the UN website, the idea for this international day goes back to 1992, the year in which the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro took place. That same year, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution by which March 22 of each year was declared World Day for Water, to be observed starting in 1993.
Later on, other celebrations and events were added. For instance, the International Year of Cooperation in the Water Sphere 2013, and the current International Decade for Action on Water for Sustainable Development, 2018-2028.
These observances aim to highlight that water and sanitation measures are key to poverty reduction, economic growth, and environmental sustainability.
Explaining this year’s theme ‘Valuing Water’, UN-Water said on its website, “The value of water is about much more than its price – water has enormous and complex value for our households, food, culture, health, education, economics and the integrity of our natural environment. If we overlook any of these values, we risk mismanaging this finite, irreplaceable resource.”
Significance of Water
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Water plays a key role in socio-economic development. Providing vital services to the human population, water is needed for human health and livelihood. Without its existence, we can’t think of food, oxygen, and the human population. Though 71 percent of the Earth’s surface is covered by water, only 2.5 percent of it is fresh and is good for humans to consume. Though the natural recycling process has kept the amount of freshwater fairly constant on Earth, exploding the human population has increased the demand and competition. Also Read - UN Headquarters in New York City Cordoned Off as Armed Man Spotted Outside: Report
Even if you don’t believe it, water scarcity is real. And, our inefficiency of using water sustainably can cost too much to the future generation.
| World Water Day 2022 Theme: GROUNDWATER - MAKING THE INVISIBLE VISIBLE Groundwater is a vital resource that provides almost half of all drinking water worldwide, about 40% of water for irrigated agriculture and about 1/3 of water required for industry. It sustains ecosystems, maintains the baseflow of rivers and prevents land subsidence and seawater intrusion. Groundwater is an important part of climate change adaptation process and is often a solution for people without access to safe water. Despite these impressive facts and figures, invisible groundwater is out of sight and out of mind for most people. Human activities (including population- and economic growth) and climate variability are rapidly increasing the pressure on groundwater resources: serious depletion and pollution problems are reported for many parts of the world. A World Water Day on groundwater would put a spotlight on this invisible resource, enhance knowledge exchange and collaboration and thereby increase the awareness of the importance of taking care of our groundwater. |
How Was World Water Day Celebrated?
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World Water Day 2020
World water day of 2020 was focused on exploring the link between water and climate change. The growing population is the main reason for the depletion of natural resources, including water. We must use water much sensibly that everybody gets the supply of water.
Due to the pandemic situation of COVID-19, many events were canceled this year. The WWD campaign by the UN this year aims to spotlight that how sensible use of natural resources can help to minimize the risks of flood, drought, scarcity, pollution and also to fight against climate change.
The UN campaign of WWD 2020 focused majorly on the importance of hand wash & hygiene as the world faces the COVID-19 outbreak. The campaign’s primary urge to everyone was regular hand wash with soap & water or with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
On WWD 2020, IWA (International Water Association) has organized an Online Panel Discussion on the topic to raise awareness of water’s importance.
World Water Day 2021
The World Water Day 2021 is going to be an online event worldwide due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “Valuing Water” is the theme.
The main focus of the event is to support the achievement of SDG (Sustainable Development Goal) 6: Water & Sanitation for all by 2030.
As world water 2021 is taking place on social media, a digital campaign aims to generate conversations to collect opinions and comments from people across the world about water and its importance in our life.
People can join the digital campaign #Water2me, to be a part of the international event.
The 4th Annual Worldwide Walk for Water will be organized by Clean International from 1st March to 31st March 2021. This worldwide walk will be organized with the goal “clean water for everyone, everywhere”. You can be a part of this walk by registering your team or by donating your contributions to sponsor a walker. You can visit “worldwidewalkforwater.com” for more information.
World Water Day Themes
| WWD theme 2020 | Water and Climate Change |
| WWD theme 2019 | Leaving No One Behind |
| world water day theme 2018 | Nature for Water |
| WWD theme 2017 | Why Waste Water? |
| WWD theme 2016 | Better Water, Better Jobs |
| world water day theme 2015 | Water and Sustainable Development |
| WWD theme 2014 | Water and Energy |
| WWD theme 2013 | International Year of Cooperation |
| world water day theme 2012 | Water and Food Security |
| WWD theme 2011 | Water for Cities |
| WWD theme 2010 | Clean Water for a Healthy World |
| world water day theme 2009 | Trans Waters |
| WWD theme 2008 | Sanitation |
| WWD theme 2007 | Coping with Water Scarcity |
| world water day theme 2006 | Water and Culture |
| WWD theme 2005 | Water for Life Decade |
| WWD theme 2004 | Water and Disaster |
| world water day theme 2003 | Water for Future |
| WWD theme 2002 | Water for Development |
| WWD theme 2001 | Water for Health |
| world water day theme 2000 | Water for the 21st century |
| WWD theme 1999 | Everyone Lives Downstream |
| WWD theme 1998 | Groundwater the Invisible Resource |
| world water day theme 1997 | The World’s Water: Is there enough? |
| WWD theme 1996 | Water for Thirsty Cities |
| WWD theme 1995 | Women and Water |
| world water day theme 1994 | Caring for Our Water Resources is Everybody’s Business |
What You Can Do
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Everyone can play a role in protecting the planet. Let's Celebrate World Water Day By Doing These Activities:
Wash your hands at key times to avoid spreading germs.
Avoid wasting water; turn off the faucet when you’re not using it.
Spread awareness in your community about protecting water quality and availability.
Join a worldwide conversation by sharing what water means to you on social media using #Water2me.
Learn more about global water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) issues around the globe.
Many events are held worldwide during World Water Day. These include:
Visual art, theatrical and musical celebrations of water.
Symposia for local, national and international leaders on water management and security.
Educational events on the importance of clean water and protecting water resources.
Campaigns and events to raise money for access to clean and affordable water.
Excursions to local rivers, lakes and reservoirs.
Special broadcasts on television and radio and the Internet.
Walks, runs and swimming other sports competitions.
| How to save water at home? Here are some tips to save water at home: For unusually high use, monitor your water bill Avoid flushing the toilet too many times Use water-friendly types of equipment Fix broken toilets and leaky faucets Using wastewater wisely at home Turn off the taps after use Get a low flush toilet Water plants wisely Reuse rainwater |
World Water Day Quotes
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