World Water Day, which falls on March 22 every year, is about focusing attention on the importance of water. This year’s theme focuses on groundwater and shines a light on hidden water resources that have always been important but not fully recognized in sustainable development policymaking.
Titled, “Groundwater: Making the invisible visible,” this year’s campaign will explain groundwater’s role in water and sanitation systems, agriculture, industry, ecosystems and climate change adaptation.
What is groundwater?
Groundwater is water found underground in aquifers, which are geological formations of rocks, sands and gravels that can hold water.
Why should we care about groundwater?
Groundwater is being over-used in many areas, where more water is abstracted from aquifers than is recharged by rain and snow. Groundwater pollution is a particular problem that can take decades or even centuries to recover from.
Exploring, protecting and sustainably using groundwater will be central to surviving and adapting to climate change and meeting the needs of a growing population.
What can we do about groundwater?
We must protect groundwater from pollution and use it sustainably, balancing the needs of people and the planet. Groundwater’s vital role in water and sanitation systems, agriculture, industry, ecosystems and climate change adaptation must be reflected in sustainable development policymaking.
According to a release from UN-Water, which co-ordinates the efforts of UN entities and international organizations working on water and sanitation issues, the overarching message of the campaign is that exploring, protecting and sustainably using groundwater will be central to surviving and adapting to climate change and meeting the needs of a growing population.
UN-Water helps UN Member States sustainably manage water and sanitation in three ways — Inform Policies, Monitor and Report, and Inspire Action.
World Water Day organizers have launched a campaign called the One Minute Challenge, asking people to shoot a 60-second video explaining how groundwater affects their life and answer questions such as —Is there enough water? Is it safe? And, what needs to be done to protect groundwater?
The video needs to be:
– One minute max
– Shot in landscape orientation.
– Civil and truthful.
– In English or with English subtitles.
– Include the hashtags #MyGroundwaterStory and #WorldWaterDay.
– Upload your video to YouTube or Vimeo, and send the link to mygroundwaterstory@un-igrac.org.
More details for the video and theme can be found at www.worldwaterday.org.
