Water affects us all, therefore, everyone needs to take action.
Did you know that, according to the World Health Organisation;
- 1.4 million people die annually and 74 million will have their lives shortened by diseases related to poor water, sanitation and hygiene.
- Today, 1 in 4 people (2 billion people) worldwide – lack safe drinking water.
- Almost half of the global population (3.6 billion people) lack safe sanitation.
- Globally, 44 per cent of household wastewater is not safely treated.
- Global water demand (in water withdrawals) is projected to increase by 55 per cent by 2050.
Not consuming water responsibly comes with barrages of disadvantages;
According to UNICEF, every citizen has the privilege and should be able to realise the right for access to safe water.
The impact of climate change, the problem of access to water and the diseases that result like cholera, which kill mostly children are the focus of this year’s commemoration. If one does not have access to safe water, there are numerous knock on effects. For example, if children have to go long distances to fetch water, they are often missing out on education.
Similarly, if women have to go and fetch water, they are often missing out on earning an income. They cannot do other jobs whilst they are busy just fetching water to survive and then if the water is of poor quality, or is infected with anything, people are going to get sick.
It’s often the children that bear the brunt. There are high reports of under five mortality rate in areas with limited or outright lack of water and children often are the worst affected by anything like cholera or outbreaks of diarrheal disease.
Diseases like trachoma, which is an infection of the eyes, onchocerciasis and schistosomiasis are very much related to poor quality water and unsafe water practices.
Children or anyone being affected by poor and unsafe water, results in them not realising their full potential in a lot of ways.
How can you play your part?
The global campaign “Be the change” encourages people to take action in their lives to change how they use, consume and manage water. These promises from individuals and communities will contribute to the Water Action Agenda alongside larger commitments from governments, companies, organizations, institutions, and coalitions.
Here are some water related quotes you can share across your social media platforms to make people more aware of responsible water consumption.
- “Every human should have the idea of taking care of the environment, of nature, of water. So using too much or wasting water should have some kind of feeling or sense of concern. Some sort of responsibility and with that, a sense of discipline.” -Dalai Lama
- “Pure water is the World’s first and foremost medicine.” -Slovakian Proverb
- “Thousands have lived without love, not one without water.” -W.H.Auden
- “When the well is dry, we learn the worth of water.” -Benjamin Franklin
- “No Water. No Life. No Blue. No Green.” – Sylvia Earle
Do you have any question or comment? Do share with us in the comment section.
