World Water Day: Focus attention on global water crisis, says iGP
Unchir-Dunktok, Mar 22 : The India Greens Party (iGP) on Monday said that there is a need to take action to tackle the global water crisis and raise awareness of the 2.2 billion people living without access to safe water.
In a press statement issued on World Water Day, the iGP president Suresh Nautiyal said it is a matter of concern that water is under extreme threat from a growing population, increasing demands of agriculture and industry, and the worsening impacts of climate change.
World Water Day is observed on March 22 every year since 1993 on the importance of freshwater. It seeks to focus attention on the global water crisis. People and organisations mark World Water Day every year by taking action to tackle the water crisis in different
ways.
Water is one of the necessities for every living being on this planet.
My Nautiyal said it is sad that one in three people live without safe drinking water today. By 2040, global energy demand is projected to increase by over 25 per cent and water demand is expected to increase by more than 50 per cent. By 2050, up to 5.7 billion people could be living in areas where water is scarce for at least one month a year.
However, if we limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, we could cut climate-induced water stress by up to 50 per cent. Climate-resilient water supply and sanitation could save the lives of more than 360,000 infants every year.
The iGP leader said water is the natural resource and the main constituent of earth. It is widely used for both domestic and industrial uses such as drinking, washing, cooking, etc.
Earth is also known as a blue planet because of the vastness of water presence. There are various sources of water such as wells, rivers, lakes, oceans, big dams, and streams but only
1-2 per cent of water is suitable for human use.
Mr Nautiyal said this year´s theme of World Water Day is about what water means to people, it is a true value and how we can better protect this vital resource. The value of water is much more than its price – water has enormous and complex value for our households, culture, health, education, economics and the integrity of our natural environment. If we overlook any of these values, we risk mismanaging this finite, irreplaceable resource.
Mr Nautiyal called upon the people to support catalysing conversations about water, by using the social media assets and engaging in digital discussions through #Water2me and #WorldWaterDay.
(UNI)