World Water Day is today – what is water worth?
On this year's World Water Day, people are encouraged to think about the value of water and what we can do to maintain the quality of life that comes with a secure supply of clean water.
What is the water worth?
The United Nations has celebrated World Water Day on 22 March since 1993. The UN's aim with the day is, among other things, to raise people's awareness of the necessity of access to clean water, as today 2.3 billion people lack access to safe water. One of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals is precisely about ensuring everyone's access to clean water and ensuring its sustainable use. The Met Office monitors and researches the country's water cycle and is one of the institutions that are members of the Icelandic Hydrological Commission under UNESCO.
Water is of great value
Until now, Icelanders have taken clean water for granted, and it is often forgotten that a lack of clean water certainly affects human health. It is clear, however, that we do not have to face as serious challenges as many other nations. Water is an important resource for the nation's economy and quality of life, and it is a societal responsibility to ensure the quality of this resource and its sustainable use.
An adequate supply of clean water is a prerequisite for most of what we do and for many of the production processes on which the country's prosperity depends. Furthermore, it is intertwined with the nation's energy production to a much greater extent than in most other places. Water is therefore a very large part of the quality of life for Icelanders. However, there are signs of trouble on the horizon, and it is important to consider our priorities with long-term goals in mind. Changes in land use, such as increased population density and a greater emphasis on the production of products based on the use of water, etc. aquaculture can cause water abstraction to exceed regional capacity, and the increased demand for low-impact energy sources affects hydrological characteristics. Furthermore, climate change is expected to increase the pressure on water.
On this year's World Water Day people are encouraged to think about the value of water and what we can do to maintain the quality of life that comes with a secure supply of clean water.
Happy birthday!