International Water Day: Paint the Town Blue

It's that time of year when the Council of Canadians and other water preservationists get a little giddy. International Water Day is March 22, and the Council is brimming over with ideas for Canadians, individually and through organizations and communities, to spread awareness of declining water resources in Canada and the world. The above link to their "Blue Communities Project" is a starter kit for anybody ready to get involved.

In Ottawa festivities begin today, with the Parliament Buildings dressed up in a blue light show . The event is organized by the COC, the Polaris Institute and the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE). Maude Barlow, COC chairperson and senior adviser on water to the president of the UN General Assembly, asks Canadians to join in lobbying Ottawa to implement a national water policy. Said Barlow:

"The quality of Canadian drinking water exceeds that of almost any other country in the world. But without a national water policy to protect source water, promote public ownership of water services and ensure strong conservation strategies, we are beginning to see the impacts of a looming water crisis."

Barlow also urges Canadians to get into the spirit of the season of International Water Day and have fun. I'll raise a glass (of water) to that.