March 22 is recog
nized globally as a day to give thanks for the precious natural resource of water, and to reflect on its importance in maintaining life. It is also a day to focus on how we can better protect our water sources from pollution and mismanagement, and ensure access to clean water for people around the world.
Access to clean water is a human right. For millions of people, this right has not been protected. According to the UN, 2.1 billion people around the world do not have access to safely managed drinking water services.
Our faith calls us to recognize that we are all created in the image of God, and we are all interconnected. We have a responsibility to work for justice. On World Water Day, we pay special attention to the ways that we can work to ensure the realization of the right to water globally.
This year’s theme for World Water Day is “Nature for Water” which highlights the ways that we can utilize nature to help us address the water crises we’re facing today. You can read more about some of these proposed solutions here.
Below are some resources we think are helpful for learning and reflection:
A reflection from Sister Mary C. Sullivan, RSM from last year’s World Water Day:
http://www.mercyworld.org/_uploads/_cknw/files/2018/Water-for-the-World-reflection_USletter(1).pdf
The Right to Water: http://enews.mercyworld.org/e-news/100-1bf833a1/editions/216-afc15c12/user-assets/files/The%20Human%20Right%20to%20Water%20Booklet%20LR.pdf
Understanding current water crises: https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2018/03/world-water-day-water-crisis-explained/
Background information and fact sheets: http://www.unwater.org/
Ready to put your faith into action?
Here are some ideas. We’d love to hear yours as well (leave a comment below!)
- Think about your water footprint, and consider ways that you could reduce your own daily usage. Did you know the average person in the US uses between 80-100 gallons of water a day?
- Gather as a community of faith (or on your own) to pray for people around the world who are living in a water scarce area, or who have to walk great distances to retrieve clean water for their families each day.
- Take a look at Rivers Alliance of Connecticut’s website to learn more about the current bills in the CT legislature that relate to water usage and protection, and how you can advocate for the protection of this precious resource.
- Check out Food and Water Watch’s website to learn about the issue of corporate grabs for the control, privatization, and sale of water.
- Call or write to your legislators to ask them to protect access to affordable clean water. Ask them if they know about proposed Nature-Based Solutions.
Senator Richard Blumenthal: (202) 224-2823
Senator Chris Murphy: (202) 224-4041
Representative John Larson: (202) 225-2265
Representative Joe Courtney: (202) 225-2076
Representative Rosa DeLauro: (202) 225-3661
Representative Jim Himes: (202) 225-5541
Representative Elizabeth Esty: (202) 225-4476
