We can survive for a few weeks without food but will not be able to survive for more than 3 days without water. Freshwater is essential for life, with no substitute. Despite 71% of the earth’s crust comprising of water and 66% of the human adult body being water; we often underestimate the value of this physical resource. Although mostly unpriced, it is the most valuable commodity in the world. It is what many say what the third world war will be fought over. It's THAT Time of the Year Every year since 1993 March 22 has been celebrated as the World Water Day – a day designated by the United Nations to focus on the importance of freshwater to the existence of all living beings on our planet.
22 March is especially significant since despite the huge economic progress we have seen over the past few decades, water still remains a much sought-after basic need to many.
A core focus of World Water Day is to take action to tackle the global water crisis and support the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 6: water and sanitation for all by 2030.
Did You Know?
- The world’s first billion dollar company, US Steel, came about in 1901.
- Man landed on the moon in 1969.
- Over 1.37 billion smartphones were sold in 2019.
- Globally over 1 billion passenger cars are on the roads today.
Yet, over 2.2. billion people globally live without daily, consistent access to safe water.
This year, the theme of UN’s World Water Day is the relationship between water and climate change. Green Initiatives’ series of articles, inspired by the official WWD2020 campaign, will focus on raising awareness on just how these are inextricably linked and how we can all better respect and conserve this precious resource. Our 3-part article will talk about the risks to global warming posed by water and challenges brought about by climate change, including opportunities and solutions on how our use of water can help reduce floods, droughts, scarcity and pollution, and can help fight climate change itself. But before that we would like to take you on a visual journey to help you ‘know your water better’.
15 Unbelievable Facts About Water 68.7% of the fresh water on Earth is trapped in glaciers.30% of freshwater is in the ground.1.7% of the world’s water is frozen and therefore unusable.Water can dissolve more substances than any other liquid including sulfuric acid.About 25,000 liters of water is required to grow a day’s food for a family of four.To create one glass of beer it takes 75 liters of water.In just one day, 200 million work hours are consumed by women collecting water for their families.One-third (1/3) of what the world spends on bottled water in one year could pay for projects providing water to everyone in need.A jellyfish and a cucumber are each 95% water.70% of the human brain is water.The urban poor of Nairobi, Kenya, pay 10 times more for their water than people living in New York.
300 tons of water is required to manufacture 1 ton of steel.
It takes more than twice the amount of water to produce coffee than it does tea.Over 90% of the world’s supply of fresh water is located in Antarctica.Flying from Shanghai to Beijing, about 1200 km, could cost you more than 34 thousand liters of water (per person).
We hope this article reconnects you with our planet’s most valuable resource and you will be mindful of how you consume. Please share this with your family and friends, and let’s give water the credit it deserves.Look out for our upcoming 3 articles on this subject.
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