world water day • why we value water
Today we celebrate World Water Day! Why is water so precious? And what can we do here in Germany to protect it? You can find out more here, and everything is explained simply, making it perfect for reading aloud to little soul friends.
In general, there's quite a lot of water: over half of our Earth is covered in it, which is why it's called the "blue planet." So, at first glance, it sounds like we have more than enough. But Almost all of the water is salt water , like in the oceans, and only a very small fraction is fresh water, like in rivers, lakes, and springs. Plants, animals, and humans need fresh water to survive. Therefore, water is very precious, and we must take good care of it.
For the vast majority of people here in Germany, water flows perfectly clean from the tap. This is quite practical, as it allows us to Wash hands, shower, cook, and flush the toilet . And most importantly, we can drink it without worry. In Germany, there is a law that Drinking Water Ordinance , which stipulates that tap water must always be clean.
Many people in the world cannot simply turn on the tap and enjoy this luxury. They have to travel long distances to get it and use it very sparingly. That's why we at soulbottles, together with Viva con Agua and BORDA Zambia, WASH'n'soul to provide people in Lusaka, Zambia, with easier access to WASH. You can find out more about WASH in this blog article read.
But here in Germany, too, we can do things that help save water. This way, we can help ensure that there's enough for everyone in other parts of the world, too.
Here are three tips on how we can use water responsibly:
- Drinking tap water: In Germany, we can drink tap water without any risk. Tap water doesn't need to be packaged and comes directly from our region . This way, we avoid transport and protect the environment. soulbottles drinking bottles are a good reminder to drink tap water instead of buying bottled water.
- Every drop counts: Even small things can make a big difference in everyday life. For example, turning off the water while brushing your teeth or while soaping your hands.
- Pay attention to virtual water: Water is used in the production of things. For example, in a factory where plastic packaging such as bottles, cups, or bags are produced. This water is called virtual water. After we have used the packaging, it ends up in the trash. This is a problem because now new packaging has to be produced, and water is used again. So if you use reusable drinking bottles and Lunch boxes used, you help to save water.
The more people know about these tips, the better. Together we can achieve much more and provide people all over the world with access to clean drinking water. So tell your family, friends, and classmates!
sources
bundesgesundheitsministerium.de/service/konzepte-von-az/t/trinkwasser.html
quarks.de/umwelt/faq-so-much-water-there-is-on-the-erde/
Copyright illustrations: © I. Schmitt-Menzel, WDR mediagroup GmbH
