On Sunday we celebrate World Water Day, held annually on March 22 since its inception in 1993, when the United Nations General Assembly dedicated the day to a focus on water issues.
The theme for 2015 is “Water and Sustainable Development,” reminding us that water plays an integral part in planning for a sustainable, viable future in areas such as health, nature, food, urbanization, industry, energy and equality.
The idea of water inequality can be difficult for those in developed nations to understand. Thirty-eight percent of the world’s population experience water scarcity, according to the Fraunhofer Institute. UN statistics state that 60% of the world’s cities will face water shortages by 2025.
In developing nations, women spend 25% of their day collecting water for families, while at the same time, climate change impacts what few freshwater sources exist in some parts of the world, which can lead to food and energy scarcity and create fierce competition for dwindling supplies.
Learn more about water inequality and other World Water Day topics and events.
