World Water Day

Today is World Water Day, and quite appropriately it's raining so locally at least we are celebrating by answering lots of 'why is it raining?' questions from our three year old and puddle jumping!

However, seriously the international observance of World Water Day is an initiative that grew out of the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro.

The theme for World Water Day 2007 is coping with water scarcity - the theme highlights the significance of cooperation and importance of an integrated approach to water resource management of water at both international and local levels. Equity and rights, cultural and ethical issues are essential to be addressed when dealing with limited water resources. Imbalances between availability and demand, the degradation of groundwater and surface water quality, intersectoral competition, interregional and international disputes, all center around the question of how to cope with scarce water resources.

An activity ideas to develop children's understanding of the problems of water shortage is growing cress seeds - make up to identical trays of kitchen towel and a sprinkle of cress seeds, make one wet and one dry - what happens and why? what are the implications for countries with no rain?


For further information:



Water Aid - an international charity dedicated to helping people escape the stranglehold of poverty and disease caused by living without safe water and sanitation.