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In case you missed it – World Water Day 2018! This year’s theme – “Nature for Water” – focused on the importance for nature based solutions to the water challenges of today.
What are Nature Based Solutions?
Actions such as planting trees, reconnecting rivers to floodplains, or creating buffers of vegetation along water courses, are considered nature based solutions and “green” infrastructure, as opposed to “grey” infrastructure such dams that are human built. These solutions not only have water cycle benefits, but contribute to economies and solve municipal problems.
The World Water Fact Sheet provides a great example: constructed wetlands used for wastewater treatment can provide biomass for energy production, improve biodiversity and create recreational spaces and associated employment.
Focusing on water challenges
With so many water problems around the world, leaders and communities may become overwhelmed and frustrated on where to start. In his encyclical – Laudato Si’, Pope Francis zeroes in on one fundamental principle – access to safe drinking water:
Access to safe drinkable water is a basic and universal human right, since it is essential to human survival and, as such, is a condition for the exercise of other human rights. (Laudato Si’, 30).
He also highlights that education and political commitments are essential in defending this human right.
Thanks World Water Day for leading the way!
Resources
World Water Day Fact Sheet
World Water Day: Contribution of Pope Francis and the Holy See
