World Water Day

Today is International World Water Day.  What's that you ask?

Good question! 

World Water Day draws attention to the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources.  At COA, we are all about the salt water, but sometimes, it’s a good idea to think about freshwater too.  After all, human life requires clean, fresh water to survive.  We take for granted the fact that when we turn on the tap, freshwater comes out.  In fact, we use freshwater almost recklessly in the United States.  But there are large number of people and places that don’t have access to clean drinking water at all.  

The focusof World Water Day this year is the impacts of rapid urban population growth, industrialization and uncertainties caused by climate change, conflicts, and natural disasters on urban water systems.  Unfortunately, investments in infrastructure have not kept up with the rate of urbanization.  Sewage is not just a problem for the oceans; the management of urban water and waste has become a real problem and is a growing threat to human health and the environment, especially in developing countries that don’t have the resources to keep up with the demand. 

What else can we do?

Clean Ocean Action partners with Aveda, a salon and spa company, to raise awareness not only about our regional waterways, but also about clean water globally.  Find out more about the Aveda campaign here and about World Water Day here. 

Educate yourself about ways in which you can reduce your own water use.  You may be surprised to learn just how much water is used in things like food and electricity production.  Access to clean water is a huge problem, but we can all be a part of the solution.