Happy World Water Day! This holiday, celebrated on March 22nd, was created in 1993 by the UN in hopes that the public become more interested in global water issues.
This year, the theme is “Water & Energy.” The UN’s explanation is as follows:
Energy generation and transmission requires utilization of water resources, particularly for hydroelectric, nuclear, and thermal energy sources. Conversely, about 8% of the global energy generation is used for pumping, treating and transporting water to various consumers.
Most of the objectives of this year’s celebration include the nexus of water and energy, including policy decisions and case study demonstrations in order to educate the public of the problems that people are facing world-wide with water, and especially with water and energy together.
This holiday is also a time to showcase the World Water Development Report on Water and Energy. This report, published in conjunction with Toyko’s World Water Day celebration, highlights research on hydroelectricity, hydro-power and water use, industrial water use, financing water, energy for water, waterborne transportation, Bio-gas produced from sewage, access to water and transportation, access to electricity and wind power.
For greater access to WWD resources, visit their official Flickr page, YouTube channel, Facebook page, and Twitter account.
Water.org also has a celebration going on, and encourages World Water Day participants to use the hashtag “#waterday” on Instagram while sharing photos of YOUR water day (like water saving practices, making donations, etc.). Their outlook on the day is to provide clean water and sanitation practices to developing nations to increase water supply in villages and decrease the prevalence of disease.
Since my account is attached to promotional Water.org tweets, you will see a few from them on the days leading up to Saturday’s holiday. Click here to attach your own account so that @Water can tweet for you (occasionally). Spreading the word can make all the difference!
Abbey Dufoe 