CELEBRATION IN HONOUR OF RIVERS Blue arteries of our lives World Rivers Day is intended to remind people of how important all the world’s waterways are to us and just how much our lives depend on them WORLD RIVERS DAY IS A CELEBRATION OF THE world’s waterways and the many values of our waters, an action aimed at raising public awareness about the threats faced by rivers and the urgent need to safeguard the health of rivers in the years to come. It was in 2005 that the United Nations launched the Water for Life Decade, and the establishing of World Riv- ers Day represented a response to the proposal launched by internationally renowned river conservationist Mark Angelo, who – as an avid paddler – has navigated a thou- sand rivers around the world, perhaps more than anyone else. Enthusiasts from all over the world came together that year to organise the event, and World Rivers Day was celebrated in dozens of countries. It has since been
celebrated annually on the fourth Sunday in September. All forms of life on Earth need water. That’s precisely why it’s the most precious resource we have: it is depend- ed on by the food we eat, the cotton we wear, and even the electricity we rely on every day. Freshwater habitats represent homes for a large proportion of the world’s bi- odiversity – more than 10% of all animals and approxi- mately 50% of all species of fish. And yet, despite its vital nature, water is a shockingly limited resource. Less than 1% of all fresh water on the planet is potable and accessi- ble, while freshwater flora and fauna are declining at much faster rates than terrestrial and marine species. There are numerous things we can all do to protect our rivers. That includes opting for biodegradable hygiene and household products. All the chemicals we use are ultimate- ly washed down the drain, meaning that they end up in the rivers. A small change can make a big difference: turn the tap off when brushing your teeth, take shorter show- ers, only use washing machines when full etc. The primary objective of World Rivers Day is to raise our awareness and compel us all to do everything we can to limit the threats facing all the waters of Earth. You might be able to find a local event, such as an organised clean-up of riverbanks, or to initiate one yourself. If we all made just a little effort, the world would be a more beautiful place and our rivers would be clean and sparkling...
Tekst / Words: Jelena Pantović Fotografije / Photography: Profimedia.rs
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