By Theresa Ficazzola
There’s nothing like an ice-cold glass of fresh water on a hot day. Unfortunately, this isn’t a remote possibility for many people around the world, as 2.1 billion people do not have access to safe water, or any water at all.
In 1993, the United Nations declared every March 22nd World Water Day to focus international attention on the importance of fresh water for everyone.
The global water crisis affects everyone – but not equally. That’s why this year’s theme of World Water Day is Water and Gender as women and girls lose out the most when it comes to access to safe water.
Issues Related to Water
Other relevant issues related to water include water scarcity, water pollution, inadequate water supply, lack of sanitation, and the impacts of climate change.
Demand for water, food and energy is increasing, and they are at the heart of sustainable development. Agriculture is the largest consumer of the world’s freshwater resources, and water is used to produce many forms of energy. In fact, more than one-quarter of the energy used globally is expended on food production and supply. In addition, the vast majority of energy generation is water intensive, such as its use in coal-fired power plants and in nuclear reactors.
One way to help curb the use of water is by increasing the use of renewable energy sources that do not rely on water, such as hydropower and wind. Geothermal energy is another option that has potential as a long-term, climate independent resource that produces little or no greenhouse gases and does not consume water.
Another way to use less water is to initiate more efficient irrigation systems for crops and other agriculture, utilizing land dams to capture runoff in arable fields or planting forests to protect soil and assist groundwater recharge.
How You Can Help the Planet
While water is certainly an issue for billions of people, there is little direct impact of unsafe water in the US. However, you can help the planet by using less water every day.
You can also contribute to a reputable water-related charity. One such charity is water.org, co-founded by actor Matt Damon. It has received the highest rating from Charity Navigator for more than 10 years, demonstrating its commitment to transparency and financial accountability.
You can also directly help the planet by installing solar panels on your home. Rising electricity rates, especially in the Northeast, make solar a viable option for conserving energy.
The professionals at SI Solar welcome the opportunity to speak with homeowners in New York and New Jersey about the long-term benefits of solar power. Give them a call today to discover how you and your family can benefit from solar power and help the planet, all while saving you money on your electric bills.
Water Facts and Figures
According to the UN:
· Only 0.5% of water on Earth is useable and available freshwater. (WMO, 2021)
· 2.1 billion people (1 in 4) still live without safely managed drinking water, including 106 million people who drink surface water. (WHO/UNICEF, 2025)
· 3.4 billion people (4 in 10) still live without safely managed sanitation. (WHO/UNICEF, 2025)
· 1.7 billion people still lack basic hygiene services, including 611 million with no facility at all. (WHO/UNICEF, 2025)
· More than 2 billion people live in countries under water stress and 3.6 billion face inadequate access to water at least one month per year. (WMO, 2021)
· In 2023, glaciers lost more than 600 gigatons of water, the largest mass loss registered in the last five decades. (WMO, 2024)
· 72% of all freshwater withdrawals are used by agriculture, 16% by industries, and 12% by municipalities. (FAO, 2023)
· Global water demand is projected to increase by 20 to 30% by 2050. (UN, 2018)
· To produce a person’s daily food, it takes 2,000-5,000 liters of water. A 50% increase in food demand is expected by 2050. (FAO, 2020)
· Water-use efficiency has increased by 19.3% globally from 2015 to 2021, but around 58% of countries still exhibit low water-use efficiency. (FAO, 2024)
