Writer: Gesine B.
Life without clean water is impossible. Yet, we continue to pollute our precious waters, leading to water degradation on a massive scale. Consequently, the UN General Assembly explicitly recognized the human right to water and sanitation in 2010. Everyone has the right to sufficient, continuous, safe, acceptable, physically accessible and affordable water for personal and domestic use. At the same time, on a global scale, over 2 billion people live in water-stressed countries, which is expected to be exacerbated in some regions as result of climate change and population growth (WHO). Hence, it is extremely important that we advocate for the human right to water and sanitation, independent from our current access to water. Of course, we are not all equally responsible (or even capable of provoking a real change) but this article will provide you with ideas and recommendations on what you as an individual (water activist) can do.
Photo above: Water flows in you(th) | International youth exchange on water protection | September 2022 | Sponsored by G.I.A.N Sezione Granpino, Naturefreunde Jugend Deutchland
Individual (water-friendly) behaviour
Each of us can think about ways to change our water consumption and find ways
to avoid water waste. As a group participating in the International Young Nature Friends’ project “water flows in YOU(th)”, we conducted a brainstorming session to create a comprehensive list of areas where positive changes can be made in our individual lives.
Photo above: Water flows in you(th) exchange of best practices | International youth exchange on water protection | September 2022 | Sponsored by G.I.A.N Sezione Granpino, Naturefreunde Jugend Deutchland
Some suggestions:
Food consumption suggestions to avoid water waste:
Avoid food waste (try out the ‘Too Good to Go’ App and get informed about local food sharing initiatives)
Buy local and seasonal
Reduce meat and dairy consumption (as it consumes a lot of water to produce it)
Clothing/ textiles:
Buy Second Hand and go to Clothing Swaps
Buy high-quality products and repair them if necessary
Think/ get informed about microplastics in
Community Action
If you want to make a positive change in your local community, then you can join forces with your friends to create a Solidarity Project and get direct funding from the European Union. Any group of (new or/and experienced) water activists between 18 and 30 years old can create and implement their own project - directed at the specific needs of your community. You can really get creative here!
To find out more, visit https://europa.eu/youth/solidarity/young-people/solidarity-projects_en
Photo above: Water flows in you(th) | International youth exchange on water protection | September 2022 | Sponsored by G.I.A.N Sezione Granpino, Naturefreunde Jugend Deutchland