PRESS RELEASE
22 March 2011
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Today is World Water Day – make a commitment to be For Love of Water
Tuesday 22 March 2011 is the first time government hosts World Water Day in collaboration with United Nations Water and AMCOW (African Ministers Council on Water) to highlight the plight of freshwater and sustainable management of water resources. International delegates will congregate at the CTICC to discuss this year’s theme “Water for cities: responding to the urban challenge”.
The objective of World Water Day 2011 is to focus international attention on the impact of rapid urban population growth, industrialization and uncertainties caused by climate change, conflicts and natural disasters on urban water systems. A range of issues will be debated especially options for tackling urban water and sanitation challenges facing the African continent.
There is a clear consensus that there will be a fresh water supply demand gap in South Africa. Recognition that this impacts us all is an opportunity to unify and engage in collective action that inspires lasting behaviour change so we are respectful of water as a life source , mindful of water usage and prioritise water preservation.
Research late last year by GlobeScan & Sustainability found 19 solutions to the global freshwater supply demand gap. The top solution was to create awareness of how an individual can make a difference.
See what you can do on a daily basis at home and work to respect and preserve water, visit www.forloveofwater.co.za. There you will also find a list of educational and entertainment events in Cape Town during this week’s National Water Week (March 21 – March 27), a powerful launch pad to demonstrate how water can unify all sectors of society through this year’s theme created by the Department of Water Affairs “Working together we can save water”.
For the first time all three tiers of government in the Western Cape (Department of Water Affairs, Department of Environmental Affairs/Development Planning and City of Cape Town), corporate sector, non-profit and citizens are linked through FLOW (For Love of Water), a movement which inspires collective action through a unified message ‘for love of water’. It aims to instil a deeper appreciation and respect for water as the source of life, to be mindful of how we use it and to preserve our water sources.
“As humans and shared custodians of the earth, we need to realise the impact of our behaviour around water. This year we want the public to show how they are for love of water,” says Justin Friedman, Managing Member of Greenhouse, the drivers behind the FLOW movement.
To find out how you can participate visit www.forloveofwater.co.za. Tools are available online to help individuals spread the “for love of water” message via making a FLOW promise, cellphone applications, email footers, desktop backgrounds, a Facebook badge and designing your own t-shirt.
The walk for love of water held on Human Rights Day highlighting the basic human right of access to fresh water was a powerful platform to show how water can indeed unify society.
Many believe that they are unable to impact the water crisis. In recognition of this, a song, composed by an impressive line-up of SA and international artists was launched today in order to raise awareness and inspire action on water issues that are affecting each of us daily. The artists involved include Zolani Mahola (Freshlyground), R&B artist Loyiso Bala, Dutch singer Stef Bos, Michael Rennie (Mikanic), Neo Muyanga, Josie Fields, Aron Turest-Swartz, Samite from Uganda, Mapumba and Yoav Saban(SA-UK). “We are for love of water” can be downloaded from the FLOW website download.
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ABOUT FLOW
FLOW is a movement of people, organizations, government departments, corporates, media, educators and others linked through their shared commitment to instill a deeper appreciation, understanding and respect for water. The movement inspires action across all society sectors reminding each of us that we have a considerable impact on ourselves, each other and the planet. The unifying message ‘for love of water’ and commitment communicates an understanding; that in order to nurture the life that we are, as human beings and as shared custodians of the Earth, we need to live and act for love of water.
ABOUT GREENHOUSE
Greenhouse is an NGO with the main focus of cultivating awareness. Greenhouse is the main driver of the FLOW Movement and has been involved in co-ordinating National Water Week (21-27 March). We have been linking 3 tiers of government, corporate, NGO, media and youth to the FLOW Movement through the unifying message ‘for love of water’.
[divider]NATIONAL WATER WEEK
National Water Week 21 March – 27 March 2011 presents a powerful launch-pad to unify all stakeholders through utilising a single message – ‘we are for love of water’.
As events provide an ideal opportunity to communicate to an established audience, FLOW is aligning the events planned for National Water Week 2011 with a focus on raising awareness, educating, and inspiring action towards lasting behaviour change in respect of water.
The National Water Week 2011 events and activations have been designed to support the UN-Water, World Water Day Event hosted at the CTICC in Cape Town. The World Water Day theme is Water for cities: Responding to the Urban Challenge.
National Water Week 2011 will see the three tiers of Government (National, Provincial & local) as well as NGOs, corporate, media, youth and the general public unite ‘for love of water’.
For National Water Week design materials (website badges etc.) please go to: https://flow.org.za/national-water-week-2011/campaign-materials/
[divider]FOR MORE INFO CONTACT:
Compiled by:
PR/Publicity Specialist/Freelance Acct Director
Nicole Chamberlin
+27 (0) 72 819 9616; nikki.chamberlin0@gmail.com
On behalf of:
The FLOW (For Love of Water) movement
Justin Friedman (Greenhouse: Managing member)
+27 (0) 21 462 1710 / +27 (0) 84 021 6512; justin@greenhousecreates.com
Additional contact:
FLOW (For Love of Water)
Juliet (Greenhouse: Strategic member)
+27 (0) 21 462 1710 / +27 (0) 82 404 6922; juliet@greenhousecreates.com
