Today is World Water Day (March 22, 2012)
The United Nations General Assembly declared March 22, 1993 the first World Water Day. This year, the event is coordinated by FAO (UN Food and Agriculture Organization); appropriately, the theme is Water and Food Security: The World is Thirsty Because We are Hungry. About 70% of the water we “drink” is actually through the food we eat. Abundant water is needed to grow crops and raise livestock for consumption; with the world’s water supply shrinking or becoming more contaminated, hunger is a very real current and future water supply-related threat.
For more about World Water Day:
- World Water Day 2012 is a site that coordinates updates and events for World Water Week (through March 24).
- Youtube hosts an educational video in several languages.
- Greening the Blue, a UNEP (UN Environment Programme), presents an informative video and other information on food security and water.
- Red Cross is one of the main NGOs participating this year, focusing on water and sanitation in the context of armed conflict.