Water is fundamental to all aspects of life. It is essential for human health and well-being, energy and food production, healthy ecosystems, climate adaptation, gender equality and health, and more. Water is at the core of sustainable development. Access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene is a human right – fundamental to everyone’s health, dignity, and prosperity. Yet, billions of people around the world lack safely managed drinking water. Demand for water is also rapidly rising due to population growth, urbanization and increasing pressures from the agriculture and energy sector. The UN 2023 Water Conference, held in New York from 22-24 March 2023, will be a key opportunity to bring world leaders together to accelerate action for water.
We need action to ensure everyone has access to clean and safe water supplies. Everyone can be part of the solution. Check out 5 actions you can take and learn more about what the United Nations is doing on advancing Goal 6.
The Lazy Person’s Guide to Saving Water
Everyone can do their part to reverse the degradation of water sources. Every human on earth — even the most indifferent, laziest person among us — can be part of the solution. Fortunately, there are some easy things we can adopt into our routines that, if we all do it, will make a big difference.
Read more about the Lazy Person’s Guide to Saving Water here.
Be the Change for Water
The Be the Change initiative provides an opportunity for all of us to better “walk the talk” when it comes to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and help encourage people around us to live more sustainably. Water is everyone’s business and every action counts towards ensuring water and sanitation for all. This toolkit offers step-by-step guidance and materials on how to move beyond individual action to organizing a “Be the Change” week or one-day event.
Kahoot – Test Your Water Knowledge!
Access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene is the most basic human need for health and well-being. Water is inextricably linked to the three pillars of sustainable development, and it integrates social, cultural, economic and political values. With climate change profoundly affecting our economies, societies and environment, water is indeed the biggest deal breaker to achieve the internationally agreed water-related goals and targets, including those contained in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Join us on Kahoot to test your knowledge and learn more about water and how we can help build a better future for all.
Play now: https://kahoot.it/challenge/007996792 (Game Pin: 007996792)
Be the Change Campaign
Take part in this year’s World Water Day campaign, led by UN-Water, which runs through World Water Day on 22 March 2023 –also the opening day of the UN 2023 Water Conference. Water is everyone’s business. The power of individuals must not be understated. One stone thrown in the water creates ripples that travel far and wide. Get inspired by the story of a hummingbird that fetched a few drops of water from a stream to put out a forest fire while all the other animals watched in disbelief. To cynical bystanders, she said: “I am doing what I can.” Visit the 2023 campaign website here.
Water Action Agenda
The UN 2023 Water Conference is a unique opportunity for the world community. It is the first UN conference on water in almost 50 years and comes at a time when there are urgent needs for water action. A main outcome of the Conference will be the Water Action Agenda, a collection of all water-related voluntary commitments to accelerate progress on the Water Action Decade 2018-2028 and the 2030 Agenda. We need strong commitments and actions from all sectors – industries, governments, organizations, individuals – to help deliver water-related goals and targets and accelerate implementation on achieving SDG 6. Have a commitment that you’d like to register? Learn more about the Water Action Agenda commitments: https://sdgs.un.org/partnerships/action-networks/water
Act Now
Looking for ways to save water and protect the climate? There are simple things you can do in your daily life. From taking shorter showers, to eating more plant-based meals and upcycling used clothes, we can make a difference! Start with these ten actions to help tackle the climate crisis and protect precious resources. For more tips, and to log your actions, download the mobile app.
SDG Book Club
Our SDG6 reading list: Not having access to clean water also has an impact on other parts of our lives. Having clean water is important to help us achieve many other Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). When we have access to clean water, we are healthier, can go to school, learn new things and live an active life. The reading list covers many of these topics and the stories will inspire you to take action for all children to have access to clean water and toilets.