Happy World Water Day! Celebrated on March 22nd each year, this day highlights the importance of fresh water, a basic necessity that is still elusive for over a billion people all over the world. Initiated by the United Nations in 1992, the theme changes each year, to highlight the most pressing water issues.

This year's theme, Water for Cities: Responding to the Urban Challenge - is to make people aware of the alarming rate at which people, especially in developing countries, are moving to urban areas. According to the United Nations Environment Protection Agency, this is the first time in human history that most of the world's population, about 3.3 billion people, live in cities, and the numbers are only going to increase. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that by 2050, over 70% of the world's population will be living in urban areas.

What's even worse is that the some of the cities that are growing the fastest, already have a shortage of fresh water, as the demand for it is outstripping supply. An added problem is the lack of investment in infrastructure like water pipes and sewage systems, which if not addressed will lead to even bigger issues. By highlighting the problem today, the agency hopes to avert what may become a major freshwater crisis in the near future.

Thousands of events, ranging from conferences to charity walks to raise money for freshwater have been organized to mark this day. Corporations are doing their part, with Teva donating money towards freshwater, for every sandal or footwear sold in 2011. Nestle is also joining the effort by helping community clean water efforts and providing funding for educating children about water conservation.

While these are all big initiatives, all of us can help, not just today, but every day of the year, by making small changes to our daily lives - Taking shorter showers, ensuring taps are not leaky, switching off unnecessary lightning, washing full loads of laundry, recycling etc. etc.

Most important of all, the next time you open a tap or drink from a water fountain, think about how fortunate you are - Remember over one billion people in the world do not have access to this 'luxury' - So be sure not to take it for granted. To read more about the events going on all around the world, go to www.worldwaterday2011.org.

Happy World Water Day!