This Sunday, March 22nd is United Nations World Water Day. A time when the world comes together to focus on the urgent global issues of water and sanitation. The coronavirus outbreak reminds us that access to clean water is vital for preventing diseases. Without water, life is simply impossible.
Our energies are rightly focused on protecting our people and helping to halt the spread of the COVID-19. As you know, hand hygiene is essential to containing the spread of COVID-19 and many other infectious diseases.
However, despite these challenges, we should also spare a moment to voice our support for World Water Day and consider how we can all make a difference.
This year’s theme, ‘Water and Climate Change’, explores how water and climate change are inextricably linked.
Extreme weather events are making water more scarce, more unpredictable, more polluted or all three. Populations are growing, urbanisation is speeding up, the climate is changing and the demand for water is increasing.
The United Nations message is clear – action must be integrated across different sectors and coordinated across borders. And these actions must have one thing in common – safe and sustainable water management.
The United Nations message is clear – action must be integrated across different sectors and coordinated across borders. And these actions must have one thing in common – safe and sustainable water management.
The UN also argues that “fighting climate change will open up vast opportunities for the economy in many areas – by embracing circular production systems and finding ways to use water much more efficiently.”
That is an opportunity we must grasp and be passionate about playing our part. We have the experience and technical know-how to provide solutions to some of these urgent issues – whether it is about drilling for water, so more people have access, designing smart systems to prevent water contamination in high-rise buildings or making sure our products protect the quality of the water during transport.
But responsibility begins with each of us, Everyone In our daily lives, can reduce water consumption. Water stress is an acute problem, not just in arid regions. The World Resources Institute reveals Belgium is more water stressed than Mexico. Germany, France and USA currently are more water stressed than Tanzania, Nigeria and Angola. Have a look at these 5 actions to take and choices to make to preserve and improve the world’s water supply.
This week we will, as far as we can, support the message of World Water Day. We will promote UN Water’s #SafeHands to combat COVID-19 ask all our colleagues to follow the clear hygiene advice we have shared. We will tackle and overcome these immediate challenges, so that can continue to play our part in building a safer, sustainable future.
Recent Latest news
