World Water Day is upon us! Yet another big (and underrated) day for our planet. It’s an event celebrated on March 22nd every year to raise awareness about the importance of water and how we can all take steps to protect it.
Fresh water is essential for life – no debate there. Yet, despite all our advancements, we still struggle with water scarcity, pollution, and unequal access around the world.
The goal of World Water Day is simple: to remind us that we all have a role to play in preserving this vital resource.
Origin Story
World Water Day was established by the United Nations in 1992 during the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. It was formally proposed under Agenda 21 – a non-binding action plan for sustainable development.
The goal was to bring attention to the challenges surrounding water and promote sustainable practices. The day has become an important reminder to take action in addressing global issues related to water.
Each year, there’s a theme highlighting a specific aspect of water conservation. Past themes have included issues like wastewater management, the importance of nature-based solutions, and the impact of climate change on water resources.
The idea is to keep the conversation going and inspire positive change.
The Challenges We Face
The list is rather long, so we narrowed it down to some of the biggest issues:
- Water Scarcity – Some parts of the world simply don’t have enough fresh water to meet demand, and climate change is making it worse.
- Pollution – Waste from farms, factories, and households ends up in rivers and lakes, and as a result, the water is unsafe to drink.
- Unequal Access – Clean drinking water isn’t a given for everyone – millions of people, especially in poorer areas, struggle to get it.
- Climate Change – Droughts, floods, and rising temperatures are making water supplies less reliable - another reason why we need to tackle climate change with urgency.
- eforestation & Land Damage – Cutting down forests and draining wetlands destroys nature’s way of storing and filtering water.
- Poor Infrastructure – Old or badly managed water systems mean a lot of clean water is wasted.
- Shrinking Glaciers – Rising global temperatures are causing glaciers to melt rapidly, reducing a crucial source of fresh water for millions of people.
- Overuse – Farms, cities, and industries take more water than lakes and rivers can naturally replace, meaning there simply isn't enough water to go around.
- Harmed Ecosystems – When water sources shrink or get polluted, fish, plants, and animals that depend on them suffer, damaging ecosystems.
- Water Disputes – When countries share lakes and rivers, arguments often arise over who gets to use how much.
Water and the Global Sustainability Goals
World Water Day ties directly into the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation.
This goal aims to ensure that everyone, everywhere has access to clean, safe water and sanitation by 2030. Achieving this goal is crucial for health, education, and equality, as water is a key element in many aspects of life.
Efforts to conserve and better manage water also contribute to other global goals, like tackling poverty, promoting good health, and addressing climate change.
Water is connected to nearly every aspect of sustainable development, which is why conservation is so critical.
Water Scarcity & Pollution
Water scarcity affects over two billion people globally, meaning they live in areas where water resources are limited. If we consider people who experience extreme water scarcity for at least one month a year, that number goes up to 4 billion.
Climate change, population growth, and mismanagement of water sources – all of these factors make the situation even worse. In fact, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports that almost 800 million people still don’t have access to clean drinking water.
Pollution is another huge issue. Industrial waste, agricultural runoff, and untreated sewage can contaminate freshwater sources, making water unsafe to drink or use.
This is a major health risk, especially for vulnerable communities. According to the UN, more than 80% of wastewater worldwide is released into the environment without being treated.
How You Can Get Involved on World Water Day 2025
It’s not just about the awareness – it’s a call to action. Here are a few ways you can join the movement and celebrate the day:
1. Join Local Events and Activities
Around the world, communities host events to raise awareness and promote action for water conservation. You can participate in these events, from rallies and educational seminars to clean-up projects.
It’s a great way to connect with others who care about the same issue and learn more about how you can help.
2. Start Water-Saving Habits at Home
You don’t need to travel far or donate money to make a difference. Small changes in your daily routine can have a big impact.
For example, you can reduce your water usage by fixing leaks, taking shorter showers, or using water-efficient appliances.
But bathroom upgrades are not just about new solutions (that can be quite costly, frankly speaking).
Start small – a stone bath mat doesn’t need water to stay clean. Ribbed towels, or bamboo towels with zero-twist technology dry more quickly and require less frequent washing.
3. Support Organisations That Provide Clean Water
There are many organisations around the world that work to provide clean water to those in need. Whether it’s through donations or volunteering, supporting these efforts can have a direct impact on people’s lives.
A quick online search will lead you to organisations that are making a real difference, such as Water.org or charity: water.
4. Spread the Word
One of the easiest ways to contribute is to simply talk about water issues.
Share interesting facts or news about water conservation on social media, or have conversations with your friends and family. The more people know about water challenges, the more likely you are to inspire action.
Rapidly Melting Glaciers
Only about 3% of the world's water is freshwater, and much of that is locked away in ice caps or deep underground. According to the UN, only 0.007% of the planet’s water is easily accessible for human consumption.
And that brings us to this year’s theme of World Water Day: the key issue being raised for 2025 is glacier preservation.
We can’t stress enough how important glaciers are for preserving healthy ecosystems and life on Earth. Glaciers are like natural storage units for freshwater. In fact, almost 70% of all freshwater is trapped in glaciers.
When they melt, that water is gradually released into rivers and lakes. This process sustains millions of people who rely on glacial melt for drinking water, agriculture, and hydropower.
Unfortunately, rising global temperatures means that glaciers are melting faster, disrupting ecosystems, threatening water supplies, contributing to sea level rise and causing floods to some low-lying coastal areas.
Glacial retreat threatens devastation, which is why this years key theme for World Water Day, "Save Our Glaciers", is as pertinent as ever.
Awareness & Action
There are many problems and the stakes are high - you could argue that we are in midst of a global water crisis.
With collective effort, even small changes can have a big impact and make a real difference.
It’s a fight worth fighting – our planet and future generations depend on us. Water conservation is a global issue, and it’s up to each of us to do our part.
