To honor United Nation’s World Water Day, March 22nd, Occupy Water with ecology.com by enjoying this mix of articles, videos, and art celebrating this deep topic. Even though WWD is specific to fresh water issues, all water is interconnected, so we have included articles about the ocean, as well.
Managed Water Use
Value Ecosystems – Not Just Crops – When Managing Water Use, says UN Report
Recognizing the valuable services provided by ecosystems such as wetlands and forests – and not only focusing on water productivity in agriculture – can improve livelihoods and help meet the rising demands on the world’s water resources in a sustainable way, according to a new report from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
Watershed: More Than an Event
Increased populations, technologies and higher per-capita demands place pressure on water resources. Intensified demand, coupled with continued land-use changes, means fighting over water may be the headlines of tomorrow. Watershed management can help avoid this crisis.
Rising Sea Levels Threaten Low-Lying Coastlines of the World – Part I
Low-lying islands and coastlines around the world face a “perfect storm” of warming atmosphere and rising seas. If, as scientists predict, the oceans rise 1m or more before 2100, waters will inundate significant areas of low-lying islands and coastlines, causing widespread damage to public and private property, roads, communications, power installations, sewage facilities and airports.
India’s Barefoot Water Scientists
In southern India, the climate is becoming unpredictable and drought more common. Indiscriminate pumping from shallow aquifers shared by many farmers has caused abnormal drops in water levels. When a well goes dry, a farmer loses his crop.
Rising Sea Levels Related to Highest Atmospheric CO2 Levels in 3 Million Years – Part II
Our planet is entering an environmental twilight zone, where the ultimate effects of global warming are entirely unpredictable and almost certainly irreversible over human lifetimes, given “business as usual” scenarios.
Marvel – Underwater Photography by Cory Strassburger
World Water Monitoring Day is Now the World Water Monitoring Challenge
In recognition of the extended timeframe and to promote year-round involvement, World Water Monitoring Day will now be known as the World Water Monitoring Challenge. Along with the name change, organizers have updated their website with interactive reporting features and support materials for educators and civic groups.
The Living Water Sculpture of Jason de Caires Taylor
In celebrating life-giving water, English artist Jason de Caires Taylor returns us to our beginnings in his astonishing sculptures that are placed at varying depths beneath the surface of the seas. Taylor is interested in our relationship to our environment and his works provide unique and thoughtful expressions of our shifting life experience.
The Water Family
A game for the whole family to learn about water use. Although it is designed for children, there are many things adults can do to become Water Wise, too.
Deep Ocean Mysteries and Wonders
In this TED – Ed video, Marine biologist David Gallo explores the wonder and diversity of marine life – from the deepest, darkest trenches to the remains of the Titanic.
More Water Features:
- World Wetlands Day
- UN Millennium Development Goal Drinking Water Target is Met
- Europe Needs to Use Water More Efficiently
- Rain Water – Photography by Neal Morell
- Someplace with a Mountain
- Bottle Shock
- Reduce, REUSE- World Water Day
- Water Works!
- Water For Food
- The Real Effects of Sea Level Rise
- High and Low Waters – Video
- Laundry Day
