22/03/2025

World Water Day 2025

World Water Day
World Water Day is held annually on 22 March since 1993

World Water Day, held on 22 March every year since 1993, is an annual United Nations Observance focusing on the importance of freshwater.  

World Water Day celebrates water and raises awareness of the 2.2 billion people living without access to safe water. It is about taking action to tackle the global water crisis. A core focus of World Water Day is to support the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 6: water and sanitation for all by 2030.  

Every year, UN-Water — the UN’s coordination mechanism on water and sanitation — sets the theme for World Water Day. In 2023, the focus was on Accelerating Change. In 2024, the theme will be Leveraging Water for Peace.


World Water Day since 1993

World Water Day is an annual United Nations (UN) observance day held on the 22nd of March that highlights the importance of fresh water. The day is used to advocate for the sustainable management of freshwater resources. The theme of each year focuses on topics relevant to clean water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), which is in line with the targets of Sustainable Development Goal.The UN World Water Development Report (WWDR) is released each year around World Water Day.

UN-Water is the convener for World Water Day and selects the theme for each year in consultation with UN organizations that share an interest in that year's focus. The theme for 2021 was "Valuing Water" and the public campaign invited people to join a global conversation on social media to "tell us your stories, thoughts and feelings about water".

In 2020, the theme was "Water and Climate Change". Previous themes for the years 2016 to 2019 were "Water and Jobs'", "Why waste water?" "Nature for Water", and "Leaving no one behind". World Water Day is celebrated around the world with a variety of events. These can be theatrical, musical or lobbying in nature. The day can also include campaigns to raise money for water projects. The first World Water Day, designated by the United Nations, was in 1993.


‘Water for Peace’ - World Water Day 2024 campaign launches
World Water Day is held annually on 22 March since 1993

The campaign for World Water Day, 22 March 2024, is now live. This year’s theme is ‘Water for Peace’, which focuses on the critical role water plays in the stability and prosperity of the world. When water is scarce or polluted, or when people have unequal or no access, tensions can rise between communities and countries. 

More than 3 billion people worldwide depend on water that crosses national borders. Yet, out of 153 countries that share rivers, lakes and aquifers with their neighbours, only 24 countries report having cooperation agreements for all their shared water. As climate change impacts increase, and the global population grows, we must unite around protecting and conserving our most precious resource.  By working together to balance everyone’s human rights and needs, water can be a stabilizing force and a catalyst for sustainable development. 

World Water Day is a United Nations (UN) observance coordinated by UN-Water. Every year, it raises awareness of a major water-related issue and inspires action to tackle the water and sanitation crisis. This year’s Task Force of UN-Water Members and Partners is coordinated by the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).


World Water Day

World Water Day is held annually on 22 March as a means of focusing attention on the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources. It is about taking action to tackle the global water crisis, in support of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6: water and sanitation for all by 2030.

In 2024, World Water Day focuses on Water for Prosperity and Peace; UNESCO and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe are the lead UN agency. Sustainable water management generates a plethora of benefits to individuals and communities, including health, food and energy security, protection from natural hazards, education, improved living standards and employment, economic development, and a variety of ecosystem services.
It is through these benefits that water leads to prosperity. And equitable sharing of these benefits promotes peace.

When it comes to water, sharing truly is caring. On this occasion, UNESCO wishes to recall the importance of dialogue and cooperation in the field of water, whether surface or groundwater, liquid or frozen. This international cooperation is not only desirable, but essential, when over 40% of the world’s population lives in transboundary river basins, which account for almost 60% of the world’s freshwater resources.


World Water Day

Why do we need to take action on water? Access to water is a human right. Yet, 2.2 billion live without safely managed drinking water services, with devastating impacts for their lives and wider society.

A well managed water cycle underpins progress across the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly in relation to hunger, gender equity, health, education, livelihoods, sustainability and ecosystems.

Water is also at the heart of adaptation to climate change, serving as the crucial link between the climate system, human society and the environment. Without proper water governance, there is likely to be increased competition for water between sectors and an escalation of water crises of various kinds, triggering emergencies in a range of water-dependent sectors.


Singapore landmarks turn blue to mark World Water Day
The Sports Hub lit in blue on March 21, 2021. ST PHOTO: DESMOND WEE

The city skyline turned into a sea of blue to mark World Water Day, as Singapore showed its commitment to water sustainability over the weekend. From Saturday (March 20) till Monday, a record 44 landmarks and buildings, including the ArtScience Museum, the Esplanade, Gardens by the Bay, Marina Bay Sands and the Singapore Flyer, are lit up in blue in the evenings as part of the national water agency PUB's City Turns Blue initiative, which started in 2014.

Among them are 10 spots that are taking part in the initiative for the first time. These include the Singapore Sports Hub, Mount Faber, One Marina Boulevard, Wisma Atria and the Keppel Marina East Desalination Plant. Last year, 39 local landmarks were bathed in blue as part of the light-up.

World Water Day is held annually on March 22, a day designated by the United Nations as a reminder that water is a critical resource that should be cherished and protected. Ahead of the annual event, the UN called for urgent efforts to address the global water crisis. Around 1.6 billion people - almost a quarter of the world's population - have problems accessing a clean and safe water supply.


Singapore's Reservoirs
MacRitchie Reservoir formerly called "Thomson Road Reservoir", constructed 1890-1894 has a storage capacity of 4,200,000 cubic metres

There are a currently 17 reservoirs which are designated as national water catchment areas and are managed by the Public Utilities Board (PUB) of Singapore.

The following is a list of reservoirs in Singapore:
01 - MacRitchie Reservoir (formerly called "Thomson Road Reservoir")
02 - Lower Peirce Reservoir (formerly called "Kallang River Reservoir" & "Peirce Reservoir")
03 - Upper Seletar Reservoir (formerly called "Seletar Reservoir")

Long Island to be reclaimed off East Coast could add 800ha of land, create Singapore’s 18th reservoir

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20/03/2025

Spring Equinox 2025 春分 Chūnfēn

What Exactly Is The Spring Equinox?

 We get pretty excited about the spring equinox bringing us out of winter and officially starting the season of spring. But what exactly is the spring equinox? And does an equinox happen at the start of every season?

 First, let’s get into the equinox, which actually occurs just twice a year. The word equinox comes from Latin and means “equality of night and day.” So, the equinox occurs at two specific moments in time when the sun is exactly above the equator (contrary to popular belief, the equinox doesn’t last for 24 hours).

 In the northern hemisphere, the spring, or vernal equinox happens around March 21, when the sun moves north across the celestial equator. The autumnal equinox occurs around September 22nd, when the sun crosses the celestial equator going south. But if you want to be truly egalitarian, opt for saying March equinox and September equinox instead. After all, in the southern hemisphere, March represents the beginning of autumn and spring comes along in September!

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What is an Equinox?

An equinox is one of the two times of the year when the amount of daylight and nighttime hours are just about of equal length. The two equinoxes occur around March 20–21 and September 22–23.

The equinoxes occur on these days, but an equinox is not the whole day—it is the moment when the sun is directly above Earth’s equator. The word equinox can also refer to the position of the sun at this moment. This can also be called the equinoctial point. The equinoxes are traditionally considered to mark the start of spring and fall. In the Northern Hemisphere, the vernal equinox (or spring equinox) occurs in March and the autumnal equinox occurs in September. In the Southern Hemisphere, it’s the reverse.

In contrast, a solstice is one of the two times of the year when the positioning and tilt of Earth relative to the sun results in the most amount of daylight time or the least amount of daylight time in a single day. There are two solstices during the year: one that occurs around June 20–22 (usually June 20 or 21) and one that occurs around December 20–23 (usually December 21 or 22). In the Northern Hemisphere, the summer solstice occurs in June and the winter solstice occurs in December. In the Southern Hemisphere, it’s the reverse.


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19/03/2025

Laos Wonderland - Go Wild

85% of the country is untouched nature, widespread forests, steep mountains and wide river valleys
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18/03/2025

Hilarious T-Shirts That Are The Very Definition Of ‘Fail’

Bar-Bells

When you go to the gym for a workout, it’s always a good idea to have something to drink. But perhaps for this young lady, we should clarify that we mean water. Let’s at least admit that we think this shirt is really cute and funny. We strongly suggest that you do not mix alcohol and heavy gym equipment, or you might need a shirt that says ‘Gym and Hospital.’

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17/03/2025

Why Herbal Tea is Good for You


Herbal teas are some of the healthiest drinks you can ever have. These teas are full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants found in many herbs, which have shown to provide benefits to a person’s mind and body. These teas can also be considered good alternatives to your daily sugary and caffeinated drinks, while still providing a great taste and a natural boost to any person’s day.

Here are the top benefits which herbal teas can provide for you:
  • Drives Away The Cold - Most herbal teas are excellent for treating the common cold. One of the best ones would be the elder tree herb, which has properties that include clearing the nasal passages and stopping any heavy coughs. Other similar herbal teas can reduce inflammation in the nasal passages and drive away some of the cold symptoms, including mild headaches, clogged sinuses, and irritated throats.
  • Improves Digestion - Another healthy benefit of most herbal teas is that they help break down fats and speed up the stomach’s emptying. Because of this, herbal teas could help reduce symptoms of indigestion, bloating, and vomiting. The antioxidants present in these teas also help maintain the stomach’s balance, ensuring the gut’s precarious environment is stable. Some of the best teas which exhibit this benefit include dandelion, cinnamon, peppermint, and ginger tea.
  • Immune System Booster - Herbal teas are full of various vitamins and antioxidants that are great in fighting off any free radicals, causing disease and infection in the body. The immune systems of those who are regular herbal tea drinkers are more able to fight against any foreign invaders to the body, ensuring that sickness and disease aren’t able to enter or linger. The best herbal teas for boosting one’s immune system include elderberry, ginger, and licorice root tea.
  • Recovery of the Body - Herbal teas have been known to have many regenerative and health-boosting effects to the body of humans. One of the most effects would be providing faster recovery from fatigue, sickness, and stress. Whenever you undergo some exercise, the damage of muscle happens, and the oxidative stress is increased. This condition causes a lot of fitness enthusiasts and athletes to experience muscle soreness and pain and could hinder a person’s training and performance levels. Herbal teas could speed up muscle recovery time by reducing the muscles’ inflammation and oxidative stress felt. It could also be beneficial for those who feel pain in other parts of the body during prolonged exercise and workout sessions. Examples of the best herbal teas for this purpose include maca root tea and ginger tea.
  • Relieving Stress and Anxiety - Herbal teas are able to calm and relax both the mind and heart, relieving one from the stresses and any anxieties experienced during the day. Since it calms the mind, drinking this type of tea before going to sleep could also help people who have insomnia. One of the best teas for this purpose is chamomile tea. Chamomile tea has long been used as a traditional herbal remedy for a wide range of health issues. Not forget that this is a very tasty and refreshing tea with gentle apple and honey notes. Once sipped, it comes with a smooth and silky mouthfeel, with a clean and floral aftertaste. Truly a tea to calm both the heart and the mind, able to drive away the most of the stresses of a person’s busy day.

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