World Water Day 2023 – History, Importance, and Facts

Water is the centrepiece of existence and vital for all life forms. Without water, there would be no life on Earth. Water is one of the indispensable resources, and it plays a key role in the human body. We can survive up to a couple of weeks without food, but only a few days without water.

W.H. Auden once said, “Thousands have lived without love, not one without water.”

Today, approximately one in three people live without safe drinking water. Hence World Water Day is observed every year on 22^nd March to highlight the significance of fresh water and increase awareness on sustainable use of freshwater resources.

When Is World Water Day?

World Water Day is commemorated on 22^nd March every year, worldwide. The day is observed to throw light on the need for conserving safe drinking water and looking to provide safe drinking solutions to people around the world.

History of World Water Day

At the UN Conference on Environment and Development in 1992 in Rio de Janeiro, the General Assembly passed a resolution by which 22^nd March was proclaimed as World Day for Water. This special day was first celebrated in 1993.

Importance of World Water Day

The importance of World Water Day can be recognized through the following points-

1. Water affects millions of people.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 780 million people do not have access to clean drinking water. It goes without saying that drinking contaminated water leads to a host of life-threatening diseases.

2. Water pollution affects wildlife.

It’s not only us humans that need access to clean water. Each year, countless animals die due to water pollution. Pollution can occur in numerous ways, from actual litter to chemical runoff and wastewater, which make the water toxic to the animals that are dependent on it for drinking and habitation.

3. Water is connected to many other environmental issues.

Most of the environmental problems we are coping with are interconnected — ecosystem degradation and climate change are related to, and sometimes direct causes of water pollution, droughts, and floods.

How Can You Celebrate World Water Day?

A few of the simple ways in which you can celebrate World Water Day are-

1. Clean up your local water source

Take some friends and form your very own water clean-up crew. This may seem insignificant to us, but garbage and litter are extremely hazardous to wildlife. Also, the small rivers and streams nearby likely flow into a larger water body. If you don’t pick up that discarded plastic pack ring, it could land up in the ocean and spell bad news for a fish or seagull.

2. Make efforts to reduce your water footprint.

You would be surprised how much water it takes to carry out household tasks. Gallons of water are utilized in a shower or a single toilet flush. If you’re keen on decreasing your daily water usage, you can opt for products like low flow showerheads and toilets – that can help you do just that.

3. Organize an event to raise awareness about water conservation.

All around the world, communities organize events for World Water Day. You could emphasize simply raising awareness about any of the water-related issues we face today, or you could even organize a donation drive for areas with extreme need.

4. Watch a water documentary.

Just perform a simple search for water on your streaming accounts for a number of highly-acclaimed films on droughts and climate change, the global water crisis, and even the bottled water industry. Not only will these documentaries educate you on the water issues faced globally, but you may even be inspired to act or make a change!

Facts About World Water Day

This World Water Day, here are some water facts that you may not be aware of.

• More people die from the consumption of unsafe water than from forms of violence which include war.
• According to the CDC, about 780 million people around the world do not have access to basic clean water.
• According to UNICEF, 4.5 billion people lack access to a toilet or latrine.
• Diarrhoeal diseases, caused mainly by poor sanitation and unsafe water, kill more children under five years of age than measles, malaria, and AIDS combined.
• Diarrhoeal disease causes the death of one child every 60 seconds.
• The UNDP Human Development Index states that an estimated 443 million school days are lost every year due to water-related diseases.
• Lost time gathering water greatly reduces the productive farming time for women in some parts of the developing world.

World Water Day Quotes

Here are some inspirational quotes for World Water Day 2022.

1. “Water is the one substance from which the earth can conceal nothing; it sucks out its innermost secrets and brings them to our very lips” – Jean Giraudoux.
2. “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.
3. “Pure Water is the World’s First and Foremost Medicine.” – Slovakian Proverb.
4. “Water is life’s matter and matrix, mother and medium. There is no life without water.” -Albert Szent.
5. “No water. No life. No blue. No green.” – Sylvia Earle.
6. “We never know the worth of water till the well is dry.” – Thomas Fuller.

Slogans About World Water Day

Spread awareness about water conservation with these slogans-

1. Without water, nothing will be left in the end.
2. Save water, and it will, in turn, save you.
3. Don’t flush our planet Earth’s most valuable resource.
4. Don’t let the tap run when you brush your teeth.
5. Don’t let the water run in the sink, as our life is on the brink.
6. Water is as precious as life. Don’t waste it.
7. No matter how rich you may be, you can’t live without water.
8. Water, water everywhere, but not a drop to drink!
9. Our life depends on water; water reservoir depends upon you!
10. Saving water is a good deed, it’s an essential resource we all need!

The water problem is huge, but it is not something that cannot be solved. We can surely solve this crisis in our lifetime, and there is still a long way to go. This World Water Day, help solve the global water crisis so that no single child goes without safe drinking water.