I boiled the water for my morning coffee and jumped into a warm shower. I don’t remember being grateful. Like most people, I guess, I take these early morning rituals for granted. I turn on the tap and cool, clean water flows.
And yet, this is not the experience of many women, men, and children across the globe. For many, water is a scarce and precious commodity. In fact, UNICEF tells us that about four billion people, almost two thirds of the world’s population, experience severe water scarcity for at least one month each year. They estimate that by 2040, roughly 1 in 4 children worldwide will be living in areas of extremely high water stress. [1]
The transforming, life-giving nature of water – Living Water – is the theme chosen for this year’s Season of Creation. Using his vision of water flowing from the Temple, the prophet Ezekielreminds us of the interconnectedness of all life:
Fruit trees of all kinds will grow on both banks of the river. Their leaves will not wither, nor will their fruit fail. Every month they will bear fruit, because the water from the sanctuary flows to them. Their fruit will serve for food and their leaves for healing.
Without water we have no food, ecosystems die and all forms of life are diminished. Water is the unifying force linking human health, food security, ecosystems, and climate resilience.
As WWF shares, “Every drop we drink, cook with, or bathe in, starts in rivers, lakes, wetlands, or underground aquifers. When freshwater ecosystems are overused, polluted or degraded, we put at risk the water we use at home; it can become less reliable, more expensive, or unsafe to use.” [2]
The 2026 Season of Creation (1 September – 4 October) reminds us that this precious resource is not infinite and that we should stop taking it for granted.
Rapid global population growth, increased urbanisation, technological and economic development, and the climate crisis are all impacting Earth’s reserves of potable water. If the world does not act urgently, the point of no return will be reached. What is preventing us from becoming better caretakers of this precious resource and to stop taking God’s gift for granted.
Let’s learn more about the products we buy, ways we can help prevent flooding disasters and pollution of our waterways for the sake of our common home – Earth.
Mary Ellen O’Donoghue rsj
[1] UNICEF (United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund), Water scarcity – www.unicef.org/wash/water-scarcity
[2] WWF (World Wildlife Fund), Water scarcity – www.worldwildlife.org/our-work/freshwater/water-scarcity