Water Day 2020 explores link between water and climate, celebration cancelled due to COVID19

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The 2020 World Water Day commemoration under the theme: “Nature and Climate Change,” focus on exploring the inextricable link between water and climate change, by highlighting the urgent importance of strengthening water security and establishing access to a sustainable water supply, in the face of changing climate conditions worldwide.

Commemorated on the 22nd of March every year, World Water Day is a global observance day that raises awareness about the vital importance of water in safeguarding human security and maintaining the health of the planet’s ecosystems.

Since its inception in 1992, UN-Water — the entity that coordinates the UN’s work on water and sanitation has been engaged in a campaign focused on giving people the opportunity to learn more about water-related issues and also be inspired to tell others and take action to make a difference.

The 2020 celebration spearheaded by UNESCO, World Water Council and the World Water Forum unveils how sustainable water usage will help reduce floods, droughts, scarcity and pollution as well as help fight climate change itself.

Unfortunately, this year’s celebration which was supposed to take place March 23 at the headquarters of the Food and Agricultural Organisation, in Rome, Italy, has been cancelled, as a precautionary health measure, due to the outbreak of COVID-19 in Italy and around the world.  As a result, “messages promoting the theme of ‘Water and Climate Change’ with focus on agriculture will be published online and through other digital media, together with relevant material related to the World Water Day,” said FAO

As the world’s population grows, so does the demand for water; water and sanitation are critical to survival of life on the planet. As such, Goal 6 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) not only addresses issues relating to drinking water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) but also the quality and sustainability of water resources worldwide.  The UN seeks to ensure everyone in the world has access to safe water by 2030.

According to UN, by 2040, global water demand will increase by more than 50%, while data suggests that climate-resilient water supply and sanitation could save the lives of more than 360,000 infants every year. Thus, while climate policy makers must put water at the heart of their action plans, individuals must also take conscious steps towards ensuring sustainable water usage.