Water is a bridge that connects communities and nations, and caring for it responsibly is fundamental to building a fairer and more prosperous world for all

Every March 22, the whole world comes together to commemorate "World Water Day" with the aim of remembering the importance of this vital resource, not only for the survival of humanity, but for all the species that share the planet.

Water is a source of life; it is a fundamental human right for social, economic, and environmental development. Water is the common ground of each of the 7.8 billion people who share the Earth; it represents health, food supply, urbanization, job creation, healthy ecosystems, equality, and peace.

"Water can create peace or spark conflict.

When water is scarce or polluted, or when people have unequal or no access, tensions can rise between communities and countries.

More than 3 billion people worldwide depend on water that crosses national borders. Yet only 24 countries have cooperation agreements for all their shared water." – UN

Water plays a leading role in climate change mitigation and adaptation; the hydrological cycle is increasingly variable and uncertain, and we face longer periods of drought or flooding that can lead to conflict and displacement.

As the world's population grows and climate change becomes more visible, the need to achieve safe, equitable, and efficient water management becomes more pressing; we must come together to make water available for everyone, now and in the future.

This day is a call to raise awareness about caring for water, so that the people who make up more than a third of the planet and have no access to drinking water, or the more than half who lack sanitation services, are made visible.

This year, the UN set established the theme for this commemoration: "Water for peace," inviting reflection, cooperation, and resilience in the face of the common challenges faced by communities and nations.

Actions around the world for water

Some countries have made caring for water a priority on their agenda, such as:

• Singapore, which currently meets 30% of its needs with recycled water, thanks to investment in technology and treatment plants.

• Finland has policies to protect its water sources, such as rivers, lakes, and aquifers, and promotes technologies for wastewater treatment and the preservation of water quality.

• Canada has regulated the management of its waters efficiently and strictly, promoting the conservation of aquatic ecosystems as well as the involvement of the community in water planning.

• New Zealand has implemented water conservation policies that include the protection of rivers and lakes, the control of agricultural pollution, and the promotion of efficient water use in industry and at home.

  
  

In Mexico we are not falling behind. Through the Aguas Firmes project of Grupo Modelo and the German Technical Cooperation - GIZ, we have managed to implement, together with farmers, governments, and the communities where we operate, actions aimed at the care and conservation of water resources. With actions such as conservation agriculture, the modernization of irrigation systems, reforestation, and other soil conservation works, we have managed to infiltrate 6 million cubic meters of water into our aquifers.

These actions go further, as they bring about a profound change in the traditional way of managing resources, one that will be passed down from generation to generation.

Did you know?

• A family uses an average of around 30,000 liters of water a month for its daily activities.

• In Mexico, 75% of freshwater use goes to agriculture.

• It is estimated that close to 30% of water worldwide is wasted due to leaks and poor irrigation practices.

• A person can live for a month without food, but only a week without water.

• Only 3% of the water on the planet is fresh water. Of this, 1% is drinkable and the other 2% is frozen in glaciers.

• 75% of the planet's surface is water; our brain is 75% water; 75% of a living tree is water.

• Around 12% of the electricity in Mexico is generated thanks to water.

"Water for Peace" is not just a slogan, but a call to generate cascading actions that ensure equity and harmony in the shared use of our most precious resource.

Tags: Water for peace, World Water Day, water, commitment to water