Only 2.5% of the water on Earth is fresh, yet it isn't always handled in the most sustainable manner. Without action, the burden on these already-dwindling water supplies will only increase as the world's population of seven billion people continues to struggle to meet its basic water needs.

Water management is an issue that has to be addressed on a worldwide scale, regardless of whether you live in an area with an abundance of freshwater or one with a scarcity. To emphasize this point, the United Nations established World Water Day.

Let's examine the origins of World Water Day and its effect on the worldwide water situation.

World Water Day: What Is It?

Every year on March 22, the United Nations (UN) celebrates World Water Day to highlight the value of clean water, proper sanitation, and personal hygiene. It urges people to learn about issues related to safe water access and take action to improve them, and it asks for the sustainable management of the world's freshwater supplies.

The United Nations Global Water Development Report has also just been published at this time. The research examines the state of global water management and the challenges faced by various areas in obtaining sufficient supplies of purified water. Sustainable activities are also recommended.

UN-Water, an interagency body, is responsible for organizing and convening World Water Day and coordinating with other UN entities interested in the day's aims. There are more than 30 United Nations agencies devoted to the improvement of water and sanitation systems across the globe. UN-Water ensures that all of these groups are on the same page with regard to water issues.

Impact of World Water Day?

While the first World Water Day celebrations occurred before the widespread use of social media, data collected from these platforms has shed light on the significance of this yearly occasion.

According to the 2017 United Nations Annual Water Report, the social media campaign had a 50% increase in reach from 2016 to 2017, reaching an estimated 2.4 billion people.

The number of people who follow UN-Water on Facebook and LinkedIn increased by 60% and 75%, respectively, in 2021. More than 6,000 discussions were had in 140 countries under the hashtag #Water2Me in the months building up to World Water Day that year.