world water day

The annual UN World Water Day is happening this Saturday, March 22. The event is in its 22nd year, so let's give a happy golden birthday to World Water Day!

The objectives for this year's World Water Day are:

• Raise awareness of the inter-linkages between water and energy.
• Contribute to a policy dialogue that focuses on the broad range of issues related to the nexus of water and energy.
• Demonstrate, through case studies, to decision makers in the energy sector and the water domain that integrated approaches and solutions to water-energy issues can achieve greater economic and social impacts.
• Identify policy formulation and capacity development issues in which the UN system, in particular UN-Water and UN-Energy, can offer significant contributions.
• Identify key stakeholders in the water-energy nexus and actively engaging them in further developing the water-energy linkages.
• Contribute as relevant to the post-2015 discussions in relation to the water-energy nexus.

One of the key messages of World Water Day is that water requires energy to get to us, and energy requires water. Therefore, conserving water is also a way of conserving energy. The less you need, the less needs to be produced. And so many people throughout the world don't have access to clean water. The more we save, the more can be shared with those who need it much more.

How can you individually participate in World Water Day? Easy! Conserve water and share the message. Visit the WWD website to get banners or facts to share on social media, and let everyone know you're celebrating this Saturday!

But don't forget to actually conserve water. Use rain water to hydrate your garden. Don't let your sprinkler run out of control - especially if you are in a drought area, or conversely, if it's raining. Use as little water as you can when washing dishes and laundry (fill the dishwasher completely before running it to maximize water use, and set your washing machine on the lightest load setting you can). Take a quicker shower than you might normally. Spare yourself of drinking bottled water, and tote along some tap or Brita-filtered water instead.

Spread the word and let's all celebrate World Water Day together this year!