World Water Day 2020: ‘Water and Climate Change’

Team Udayavani, Mar 22, 2020, 1:12 PM IST

World water day is celebrated every year on March 22. It is celebrated to observe the importance of freshwater and create awareness regarding the sustainable management of freshwater resources. World Water day is an opportunity to talk about initiatives and measures to save water. Due to the coronavirus outbreak, we are all advised to wash our hands frequently to prevent the spread of coronavirus, but we must take a moment to remember the importance of water and pledge to use water the right way.

Background

In 1992, the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro took place and the idea for this international day was born. That same year, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution by which 22 March of each year was declared World Day for Water, it started in the year 1993.

World Water Day, held on 22 March every year since 1993, focuses on the importance of freshwater. World Water Day celebrates water and raises awareness of the 2.2 billion people living without access to safe water. It is about taking action to tackle the global water crisis.

World Water Day 2020

World Water Day 2020 is about water and climate change and how the two are linked. The campaign shows how our use of water will help reduce floods, droughts, scarcity and pollution, and will help fight climate change.

The World Water Day 2020 campaign states

• We cannot afford to wait. Climate policy makers must put water at the heart of action plans.
• Water can help fight climate change. There are sustainable, affordable and scalable water and sanitation solutions.
• Everyone has a role to play. In our daily lives, there are surprisingly easy steps we can all take to address climate change.