“Water for Cities: Responding to the Urban Challenge” is the theme of the 19th annual World Water Day, which takes place on March 22nd of every year. The internationally-observed holiday is meant to raise awareness about the global water crisis and inspire action to make a difference. With over half the world’s population living in cities, and nearly 900 million living in slums without proper access to water and sanitation, the ‘urban challenge’ is significant. You can check out the highlights from World Water Day 2011, including photo galleries, events, and much more.
Much of what Global Greengrants Fund supports is connected to water quality and access. From the neighborhood organizations in Ghana challenging polluting gold mines to the student groups in China planting mangroves to the indigenous communities in Guatemala protecting watersheds, these grantees are protecting clean water at the source. Our partnership with the Aveda Corporation has supported projects like these and enabled hundreds of grassroots organizations to protect and improve access to clean water. Together, we’re helping urban and rural communities tackle the water crisis.
March 20 launched Earth Month 2011, Aveda’s month-long campaign to celebrate and raise money for the environment. For the 5th year running, Aveda has chosen Global Greengrants Fund as their global partner, and we hope to raise more than $1.2 million to support our clean water projects in the coming year. Already, their network is taking action: Aveda Singapore held a Walk for Water on World Water Day.
Whether by spreading the word about World Water Day or getting involved in Earth Month, we hope you take this opportunity to make a difference for clean water.
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Be sure to check out “The Story of Bottled Water,” created by Greengrants ally Annie Leonard. It’s a short, clever and fascinating video about the truth behind bottled water.