World Water Day, on 22 March every year, is about focusing attention on the importance of water. The theme for World Water Day 2018 is ‘ Nature for Water ’ – exploring nature-based solutions to the water challenges we face in the 21st century.
Damaged ecosystems affect the quantity and quality of water available for human consumption. Today, 2.1 billion people live without safe drinking water at home; affecting their health, education, livelihoods and as we speak the seas and oceans are suffering from plastic pollution.
Environmental damage, together with climate change, is driving the water-related crises we see around the world. Floods, drought and water pollution are all made worse by degraded vegetation, soil, rivers and lakes.
When we neglect our ecosystems, we make it harder to provide everyone with the water we need to survive and thrive.
Nature-based solutions have the potential to solve many of our water challenges. We need to do so much more with ‘green’ infrastructure and harmonize it with ‘grey’ infrastructure wherever possible. Planting new forests, reconnecting rivers to floodplains, and restoring wetlands will rebalance the water cycle and improve human health and livelihoods.
Sustainable development Goal 6 commits the world to ensuring that everyone has access to safe water by the year 2030, and includes targets on protecting the natural environment and reducing pollution.
Wherever you are and whatever you do today, March 22nd, make it about nature and water.
Happy World Water Day...
PS.: All content copied from Environmental health scientist association of Nigeria.