world water day • why we value water
Today we celebrate World Water Day! Why is water so valuable? And what can we do here in Germany to protect it? You can find out more here and everything is explained very simply, so it's perfect for reading aloud to little soul friends.
In general, there is a lot of water: more than half of our earth is covered with it, which is why it is called the “blue planet”. So it actually sounds like we have more than enough of it. But Almost all of the water is salt water , like in the seas, and only a very small fraction of it is fresh water, like in rivers, lakes and springs. Plants, animals and people need fresh water to survive. That's why water is very valuable and we have to take good care of it.
For most people here in Germany, water comes out of the tap in tip-top condition. This is quite practical, because it allows us to Wash your 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 walk long distances to get it and use it very sparingly. That is 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 what WASH means in this blog post read.
But we can also do things here in Germany that help save water. In doing so, we help ensure that there is 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 water from the tap without any risk. Drinking water from the tap does not need to be packaged and comes directly from our region. This way, we avoid transport and protect the environment. Our 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, if you turn 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 garbage. 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 save water.
The more people know about these tips, the better. Because together we can achieve much more and give people all over the world access to clean drinking water. So tell your family, friends and classmates about it!
sources
bundesgesundheitsministerium.de/service/konzepte-von-az/t/trinkwasser.html
quarks.de/umwelt/faq-so-much-water-there-is-on-the-earth/
Copyright illustrations: © I. Schmitt-Menzel, WDR mediagroup GmbH
