Written by Alex (grade 12) – member of the 2023-24 EcoSchools Youth Advisory Committee (YAC)
World Water Day 2024 is on March 22nd, and this year’s theme is ‘Water for Peace’. More than 3 billion people depend on water that crosses national borders, yet only 24 countries currently hold agreements to share water¹—the fabric that keeps our planet interwoven.
The Great Gulp is an EcoSchools action that raises awareness toward Sustainable Development Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation for all by 2030. By taking a collective ‘gulp’ of water from our reusable bottles on March 22nd, schools across Canada are inspiring students about the importance of clean water, and how they ensure a peaceful society for all.
To shed light on this action, our school’s EnviroCouncil is collaborating with the Wellness Council to create a short documentary-style video sharing the message of clean water with classrooms on March 22nd, and creating a #GreatGulp campaign. We can’t wait to see how it turns out!
Your school can take action, too! Encourage your EcoTeam to participate in this year’s Great Gulp–it can take place any day, and counts toward your EcoSchools certification. Take photos of your sips and tag @EcoSchoolsCAN on social media using the #GreatGulp and #WorldWaterDay hashtags. Together, we can keep water flowing peacefully and sustainably.
The Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) aims to bring greater youth leadership and voice to the EcoSchools program, with a focus on environmental and climate action.
¹United Nations. World Water Day. https://www.un.org/en/observances/water-day