Water, a vital resource for all living beings, is becoming more sacred than ever before. Global events and climate change are having a profound impact on our water supply, and it is not just water that is affected, but the cost of daily products too. The World Wildlife Fund predicts that by 2025, two-thirds of the world’s people could face water shortages, and UNICEF states that about 4 billion people suffer severe water scarcity for at least one month each year. This situation is a hindrance to achieving SDG #6, which is to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.

The challenges that we face today concerning water scarcity, sanitation, and hygiene are enormous. These challenges intersect every other SDG goal, including food security, poverty, gender equality, health, sustainable cities, affordable and clean energy, and climate action. However, the good news is that there is an opportunity to bring multiple stakeholders together to forge coalitions and work towards solutions.

Since the 2007 SCN Corporate Statement on water, our relationship with water has changed significantly. We have become more aware of the importance of water conservation and how our daily activities impact the environment. We have also come to understand that water scarcity is not just a problem for developing countries; it is a global issue that affects us all.

Many regions worldwide have experienced the impact of a lack of water or an abundance of water. In areas where there is a lack of water, people have to travel long distances to fetch water, and this has a significant impact on their daily lives. In regions with an abundance of water, water pollution and flooding are common issues that affect the environment and people’s health.

To better prepare for the impact of water scarcity, we need to take individual and community action. Individuals can conserve water by fixing leaky taps, taking shorter showers, and reducing water usage during daily activities such as cooking and cleaning. Communities can implement rainwater harvesting techniques, educate people on water conservation, and invest in technologies that promote water conservation.

Water is a precious resource that we must conserve and manage sustainably. We must recognize the impact that water scarcity has on achieving SDG #6 and other SDGs. It is only by working together that we can find solutions to the challenges we face concerning water scarcity, sanitation, and hygiene. By taking action now, we can ensure that future generations have access to clean and safe water.

Source: https://nazareth.org/