Valuing Water to Accelerate Change

Access to clean and safe water is essential to basic human life. Water is such a necessary part of human life that it affects all other aspects of life. Water is vital for drinking, cooking, bathing, and cleaning. It is required for the production of food and energy, the maintenance of ecosystems, and the transportation of goods. It is essential for recreation, vital for industrial and agricultural processes, provides the necessary irrigation and hydropower for production, and plays a critical role in maintaining our health by flushing out toxins and waste products from our bodies. The United Nations classifies access to safe water as a top priority (it is Goal #6 of the Sustainable Development Goals, which seeks to “ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all”) and has highlighted it among the global issues requiring urgent action if we are to improve our planet and make it more sustainable. However, efforts to meet this goal by 2030 are not on track, as many vulnerable communities still face water scarcity and water pollution. To date, the quality of the water used by at least 3 billion people is still unknown because of poor or a lack of management and monitoring systems (United Nations). The issue is further exacerbated by climate change, changes in precipitation patterns, and increased frequency of extreme weather events. This puts additional stress on water resources, making it more challenging to provide clean water to communities in need, and positions us further away from achieving the global goal. 

To address this issue, governments and global organizations must prioritize and invest in water management and conservation efforts. This includes promoting water-saving technologies, improving water infrastructure, and implementing better wastewater management practices to ensure sustainable water management and equitable access to water resources. These are necessary efforts in tackling the issue, but at a basic level, the issue also calls for action from our communities (schools, families, etc.) to continue educating everyone about the value of water. Water is essential for all living beings and is critical to our survival. Our bodies are made up of about 60% water, and we need it for various functions, including hydration, digestion, circulation, and temperature regulation. A major part of taking action is fostering knowledge about this and the overall value of water in all aspects of our daily lives: acknowledging its vital role in sustaining life, promoting health, and supporting economic and social development. More importantly, fostering knowledge about the value of water means protecting and preserving it for future generations.