Spring is here and World Water Day 2009 follows in its footsteps on March 22nd.
As the global site reminds us Shared Waters = Shared Opportunities.
They note that:
"The
world’s 263 transboundary lake and river basins include the territory
of 145 countries and cover nearly half of the Earth’s land surface. Great reservoirs of freshwater also move silently below our borders in underground aquifers. With
every country seeking to satisfy its water needs from limited water
resources, some foresee a future filled with conflict. But history
shows that cooperation, not conflict, is the most common response to
transboundary water management issues."
To prove their point here are the facts they share with us:
"Over
the last 60 years there have been more than 200 international water
agreements and only 37 cases of reported violence between states over
water. We need to continue to nurture the opportunities for cooperation that transboundary water management can provide."
A great way to contribute at the grassroots level if you live in New York or Chicago is take part in the Tap Project local Water Walk "a one mile walk for young people (all ages) and their families, schools and communities to help raise awareness and support for children worldwide who suffer from a lack of readily available clean water".
In each city, 1,000 walkers will carry up to a gallon of water for a mile and get a sense of what it means to have to do that on a daily basis.
Restaurants were also invited to spread the word and donate funds.
In the US, find out which eateries got involved near you by checking Tap in your City using your zipcode as I did with 07042 for example.
Related: 1 billion people worldwide lack safe drinking water: World Water Day 2008