With World Rivers Day taking place on the fourth Sunday of September, it’s time for us to reflect on the significance of rivers. On September 25 this year, the best way to celebrate these Earthly lifelines is by reducing water pollution and although this can’t be done in one day, we can start by raising awareness about ways to restore our rivers to pristine form. Do you know that about 65% of the United States’ drinking water comes from rivers? Rivers provide us with the ability to generate electricity, water crops, and have potable water. That’s why prosperous cities like Amsterdam, Bangkok, and Berlin were established near rivers.
History
When there’s already so much talk about the harmful effects of water pollution, why do we need a special day dedicated to rivers? Because although most of us are aware of the problem, we may not know how we can participate to be part of the solution. Because a large proportion of the Earth’s population relies on fish for sustenance, we need to actively prevent the degradation of rivers as a result of industrial waste and maintain the balance of the underwater ecosystem.
Understanding this, Mark Angelo proposed a global event that celebrated the beauty and necessity of rivers. A worldwide water advocate, Angelo tasted success after organizing the British Columbia, Canada Rivers Day in the 1980s and wanted to replicate the same on a global level. The U.N. responded positively to his idea as it matched with their theme, ‘Water for Life Decade.’
The first World Rivers Day was celebrated in 2005 and all climate change activists showed their solidarity by organizing the very first World Rivers Day event. Today, World Rivers Day is observed in 100 countries around the world where those involved show the community and society at large how they can limit the threats to depleting waterways.
In 2019, a draft to protect the highly polluted but life-giving Yellow River in China through natural resources became formalized on World Rivers Day.
Credit: National Today
