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Why Waste Water?

It’s World Water Day! Celebrated every year since 1993, World Water Day is about “taking action to tackle the water crisis.” What crisis? Well, 1.8 billion people are currently at risk of contracting cholera, dysentery, typhoid and polio because their source of drinking water is contaminated with…poop.

Well, poop.

What does this have to do with art, you ask? Aside from the fact that folks with dysentery are disinclined to make or appreciate art and that’s obviously a problem, the fine folks at World Water Day have created some lovely posters focusing on this year’s theme of wastewater.

…wastewater? Oh.

And if you think that’s a tough topic to illustrate, consider they’ve done it five times. In multiple languages.

a row of five illustrated posters promoting World Water Day
Poster images from World Water Day 2017. 

Clean Water and Sanitation is the sixth of 17  Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that were “born”at the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development in Rio de Janeiro in 2012. Implemented in part by the United Nations Development Programme, the SDGs are “a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity.”

“The SDGs provide us with a common plan and agenda to tackle some of the pressing challenges facing our world such as poverty, climate change and conflict.”

– UNDP Administrator Helen Clark

Also available on the World Water Day website are some great resources including branded material you can use and a social media guide with images and suggested text to share on various social media platforms.

A sample social media card provided by World Water Day.
“By 2030, global demand for water is expected to grow by 50%. At the same time, the quantity of wastewater is increasing, due to population growth, accelerated urbanisation and economic development. Let’s use treated wastewater for industry and agriculture, washing vehicles and irrigating parks! #WorldWaterDay www.worldwaterday.org

It couldn’t be easier! And while this particular campaign theme is for 2017, the message goes far beyond a day or year alone. Take a closer look at all the fantastic stuff they’ve made to help you spread the word, and to achieve the goal of universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all.

Beth Voigt

Beth is a graphic designer in Chicago, a superhero in her own mind, and absolutely nothing on TV. She wrangles fonts professionally, pummels code amateurishly, and has been known to shove fire in her face for fun. Fond of volunteering, late-night bursts of productivity, and making snacks, she dislikes grocery shopping and sticky public transit and is only on her second smartphone. Her opinion is that you should try everything twice; if you don't like it, you were probably doing it wrong the first time around. If external links are your thing, here are links to Twitter and Instagram, and you can support her ongoing weirdness by buying her a coffee or six.

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