Let’s celebrate Water; not fear it
Filed under: Networks News Information, Communication & Research
Those at a recent CIWEM Dinner Debate with Sir Michael Pitt recognised that anxiety over flooding has caused the public to fear water when we should be celebrating it and the potential it has to improve the quality of people's lives.
CIWEM believes we have created a society that has insufficient appreciation of water and fears its potential to cause harm, such as the summer floods of 2007. The use of water in urban settlements is on the decline, water features in some of our green spaces and parks have gone or been drained, and public drinking water fountains are now defunct when they should be as common as cash points. The problem has been exacerbated by fears over litigation, excessive health and safety policies and related costs.
CIWEM wants water to be valued as a positive feature of urban living, enhancing local environments, biodiversity and the quality of life for all. Its feel, sound and visual properties have inspired artists and writers throughout the ages. Some of the greatest cities in the world, including London, have water at their heart and would not be great without it.
Water is also fundamental to the rites, language and symbolism of many religions including Christianity, Hindu, Islam, Zoroastrianism, Shinto, Judaism and Bahá'í. The significance of water manifests itself differently in these religions but its cleansing and life giving qualities underpin its place in all our cultures and faiths.
CIWEM Executive Director, Nick Reeves, says: “Water is wonderful…..let’s celebrate it and fall in love with it again. Without water there is no life and CIWEM urges us all to remember that, although water has the power to destroy, it also creates.”
For more information contact Emily Doyle, CIWEM Press and Marketing Officer, on 020 7831 3110 or emily@ciwem.org
| Contact Person | Emily Doyle |
|---|---|
| Contact Telephone | 020 7831 3110 |
| Contact email | emily@ciwem.org |
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