World Water Day is a global observance day established by the United Nations back in 1993. To mark the occasion, IN-HABIT reflects on how we can all take action. IN-HABIT reflects on the importance of environmental resources, such as water, that are necessary for health and well-being.

The 22^nd of March 2023 marks World Water Day, a day that raises awareness and inspires action to tackle the global water and sanitation crisis, with 2.2 billion people living without safe access to water. This year’s theme is “accelerating change”, offering a once-in-a-generation opportunity to unite around water and accelerate progress together.

Back in 2015, the world committed to Sustainable Development Goal 6 as part of the 2030 Agenda: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. However, the world is seriously off-track in its progress toward meeting this goal by 2030. Billions of people and countless schools, businesses, healthcare centres, farms, and factories around the world are being held back because their human rights to water and sanitation have not yet been fulfilled. What’s more, dysfunction throughout the water cycle is undermining progress on all major global issues, from health to hunger, gender equality to jobs, education to industry, and disasters to peace.

Water is fundamental to all aspects of life and is essential for human health and well-being. Moreover, the demand for water is rapidly rising due to population increase and urbanisation. With its focus on fostering health and well-being in cities, the IN-HABIT project is well aware of how differences in the quality and availability of urban infrastructures and services, including water and sanitation, mean a lack of social equality in health and well-being. That’s why it’s working to change things.

In Cordoba, for example, the process of renaturalisation and planting of trees and vegetation being carried out in the neighbourhood of Las Palmeras is rooted in the need for water resources in the area, in order to supply these new species that will provide shade and well-being to its inhabitants. Thus, from this renaturalisation, IN-HABIT is working for equity when it comes to accessing such valuable resources as water.

With water affecting everyone, it’s up to all of us to take action. Do you want to find out more about World Water Day and how you can help accelerate change? Visit https://www.worldwaterday.org/