6. Secure water and sanitation for all for a sustainable world

Water scarcity affects more than 40 percent of people around the world, an alarming figure that is projected to increase with the rise of global temperatures as a result of climate change. Although 2.1 billion people have gained access to improved water sanitation since 1990, dwindling supplies of safe drinking water is a major problem impacting every continent.

In 2011, 41 countries experienced water stress – 10 of which are close to depleting their supply of renewable freshwater and must now rely on alternative sources. Increasing drought and desertification is already worsening these trends. By 2050, it is projected that at least one in four people will be affected by recurring water shortages.

Ensuring universal access to safe and affordable drinking water for all by 2030 requires we invest in adequate infrastructure, provide sanitation facilities, and encourage hygiene at every level. Protecting and restoring water-related ecosystems such as forests, mountains, wetlands and rivers is essential if we are to mitigate water scarcity. More international cooperation is also needed to encourage water efficiency and support treatment technologies in developing countries.

Millions of people, most of them children, die from diseases associated with inadequate water supply, sanitation and hygiene. Water scarcity, poor water quality and inadequate sanitation negatively impact food security, livelihood choices and educational opportunities for poor families across the world. Drought afflicts some of the world’s poorest countries, worsening hunger and malnutrition. By 2050, at least one in four people is likely to live in a country affected by chronic or recurring shortages of fresh water.

Saving our planet, lifting people out of poverty, advancing economic growth... these are one and the same fight. We must connect the dots between climate change, water scarcity, energy shortages, global health, food security and women's empowerment. Solutions to one problem must be solutions for all.

Ban Ki-moon

FACTS AND FIGURES

2.6 billion people have gained access to improved drinking water sources since 1990, but 663 million people are still without

At least 1.8 billion people globally use a source of drinking water that is fecally contaminated

Between 1990 and 2015, the proportion of the global population using an improved drinking water source has increased from 76 per cent to 91 per cent

But water scarcity affects more than 40 per cent of the global population and is projected to rise. Over 1.7 billion people are currently living in river basins where water use exceeds recharge

2.4 billion people lack access to basic sanitation services, such as toilets or latrines

More than 80 per cent of wastewater resulting from human activities is discharged into rivers or sea without any pollution removal

Each day,nearly 1,000 children die due to preventable water and sanitation-related diarrhoeal diseases

Hydropower is the most important and widely-used renewable source of energy and as of 2011, represented 16 per cent of total electricity production worldwide

Approximately 70 per cent of all water abstracted from rivers, lakes and aquifers is used for irrigation

Floods and other water-related disasters account for 70 per cent of all deaths related to natural disasters

GOAL 6 TARGETS

By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all

By 2030, achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all and end open defecation, paying special attention to the needs of women and girls and those in vulnerable situations

By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater and substantially increasing recycling and safe reuse globally

By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity and substantially reduce the number of people suffering from water scarcity

By 2030, implement integrated water resources management at all levels, including through transboundary cooperation as appropriate

By 2020, protect and restore water-related ecosystems, including mountains, forests, wetlands, rivers, aquifers and lakes

By 2030, expand international cooperation and capacity-building support to developing countries in water- and sanitation-related activities and programmes, including water harvesting, desalination, water efficiency, wastewater treatment, recycling and reuse technologies
Support and strengthen the participation of local communities in improving water and sanitation management

TASKS TO GOAL 6:

DISCUSS THESE QUESTIONS IN THE PADLET WITH YOUR PARTNERS, GIVE YOUR OPINIONS:

What are the most important things you use water for? What if you did not have it? How can we make sure that all children and young people have access to safe water?

WORLD WATER DAY - 22nd MARCH

Let´s celebrate this day together by saving as much water as possible and by telling everyone how important water is in our world!Here is a short and easy test about water. Just click on the button and answer all questions. When you answer all 12 questions about water, you can check the correct answers in the key. The reward for you will be a good feeling how much you know about water and the Slovak song about water, You will find it in the left bottom corner of Thinkling. ENJOY! :)

Situated next to Greece's greatest river, Evros, our town Orestiada has always relied on the water that comes from it for irrigation and recreation purposes. In the next video, take a glimpse of our great river.

Romanian team working on SGD goal no.6 has celebrated World Water Day by explaining to the students about the importance the water in the world

A Slovak team working on SDG goal No. 6 has celebrated World Water Day on 22 March by telling students/schoolmates about importance of water in the world and offering them clean spring or tap water.

To celebrate Water Day Italian team has a posted a short video about our territory 's treasure: Marmore's Waterfalls.

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A Greek team celebrated World Water Day :)

As a Global Citizen, it’s a safe bet you care about gender equality, global health, education, economic growth, environmental sustainability, and peace. Here’s a fact: toilets are going to play a huge role in realizing those ideals. Yet, the importance of sanitation and hygiene is overlooked by countless governments, world leaders, and businesses. Without toilets, women must go out in the open and face sexual harassment; children fall fatally ill from drinking dirty water; girls miss out on an education because they lack information about menstruation, and safe bathrooms to manage their periods in safety and with dignity at school. A safe toilet requires more than just access to a physical loo. That’s why we need to call on world leaders to ensure comprehensive sanitation is accessible to everyone, everywhere.

Sign your name for sanitation, because everyone deserves a safe place to go. WE HAVE DONE A GOOD DEED :)

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