World Water Day (22 March) reminds us of a human need that has existed as long as human beings, and indeed any living beings, have existed on earth.
We need water to drink, to wash, to clean, to play, and to mine. Need for it, however, changes as societies change develop and technology increases the demand for it and climate changes lessens access to it.
In 2026 the theme of World Water Day is ‘Water and Gender’. It points to the different tasks, needs and challenges that men and women in different societies face in finding and collecting water to drink, in which to wash, and to keep clean people and dwellings. The different level of access to water in different societies raises questions about justice in the world.
PUBLIC CONCERN
Water has again provoked public concern in privileged societies as we face the consequence of climate change and the heating of the world. Recent experience suggests that it will be marked by events of flooding and of extreme heat that will affect the availability of water and put pressure on water storage. Already in Australia some are concerned about how to sustain the supply of water when the temperature will routinely reach 50 degrees and the supply of water will be cut. The process of AI, with its massive demand for water to cool the production of electricity to cool the electricity production necessary will put further pressure on ground water and the ability to limiting the heating associated with climate change.
On the other hand, massive downfalls of rain and the melting of ice caps will raise water levels and flood densely populated areas in many nations. They may also cause floods that can make water supplies undrinkable and drive people from their homes, as well as destroying crops. The economic cost of these disruptions will be immense.
WATER SUPPLY
These and other consequences of pressure on water supply, however, put the greatest pressure on the most impoverished people. It falls most heavily, particularly in the poorest nations, on women who collect water, who are pregnant, who need to keep babies cool, clean and have fresh and clean water to drink, as well as to cook and tend gardens.
In such a world, nations, governments, businesses and individuals will come under great pressure. They will be tempted to focus on their own needs and interests. The Christian understanding is that each person is precious and calls for respect. We are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers and need to ensure that the weakest members of society can live lives of dignity. Access to water is a shared need and must be made available to all.
GIFT OF WATER
In the Church the gift of water is always kept before our eyes – for washing in baptism, for mixing with wine in the Eucharist, for blessings. In that respect we follow the life of Jesus who was baptised in water, turned wine into water, fished and travelled on the lake and walked on water.
Water is a great gift, a necessity, something to protect and share with all peoples and to guarantee for future generations.
Fr Andrew Hamilton SJ is an editorial consultant at Jesuit Communications
