Green Tips: Celebrating Water on World Water Day (and Beyond)

March 22, 2019 marks the 25th annual World Water Day. This United Nations observance day celebrates the importance of freshwater worldwide and raises awareness of the global water crisis. The theme of 2019’s World Water Day is “Leaving No One Behind,” highlighting the fact that over two billion people worldwide, particularly marginalized groups, do not have access to safe, clean, sustainably managed water in their homes, schools, and workplaces.

World Water Day 2019 reminds us that globally, clean drinking water is scarce and precious, and should be protected and celebrated. Global water cycles are increasingly disrupted by climate change, groundwater depletion, and increases in population and demand for freshwater. The decisions we make about how we use and conserve our water resources can impact our communities, cities, and beyond. Check out our tips for how you can celebrate and protect the water that we all rely on:

• Use water wisely. The average water footprint of a person in the U.S., including the water that goes into the food we consume, is 2,220 gallons per day. Calculate your water footprint here, and challenge yourself to reduce it. Turning off the tap when it’s not in use, taking shorter showers, and checking your pipes for leaks go a long way towards lowering your water consumption. However, you may be surprised to learn that your diet accounts for around two-thirds of your daily water intake.

• Celebrate your water source. Find out where your freshwater comes from – and celebrate it! One way to show your water source a little love this World Water Day is to organize or participate in a local clean-up. Contaminants including microplastics can make their way into our drinking water and so it is important to reduce plastic use, dispose of plastics properly, and help remove plastics from streams and reservoirs. You can also learn more about your water source by participating in water quality monitoring efforts and by supporting green infrastructure projects in your community.

• Support clean water innovators and initiatives. Consider donating to one of the many organizations working with global communities to meet drinking water needs. Alternatively, or in addition, lend your support to innovators who are developing creative ways to deliver safe, clean water to communities worldwide.

• Attend – or create – a World Water Day event near you. You can find a list of World Water Day events here. You can also add your own event, such as a documentary screening or a clean-up event, to this list. These events provide an opportunity to learn more about global water challenges and our role in ensuring a safe, sustainable future for freshwater worldwide.

By Talia Sechley