Themed "Water, the Source of Life", the conference is set to take place in Perak. Partnered with the long-time Eco-Schools participant SMK Sungkai, WWF-Malaysia is also working with SK Bandar Behrang 2020, the first primary school in Peninsular Malaysia awarded the Green Flag Award in 2017. Perak is also home for the North Banjaran Titiwangsa, where it supplies most of the freshwater for Peninsular Malaysia, as well as home to the Malayan Tigers. 

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Water, the Source of Life

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Water, especially freshwater, is essential for humans and all other living organisms on our planet. While we are aware and know the importance of water, we might not realise how our actions in daily life regardless living in the city or rural impacts availability of water. Clean water is critical to all for survival where without it, health and food security are in danger. Although water bodies are abundant in Earth, only 1% is drinkable water source. 

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Our natural environment e.g. forest, soils and wetlands contribute to the healthy condition of water. Mangrove for example, filter and trap sediments, metals, pollutants at upstream and preventing them from entering downstream. Highland forest in Peninsula act as water catchment where it provides freshwater to Kelantan, Perak, Pahang, Selangor and Negeri Sembilan. River is important to us as a source of water, food, transport, and eco-tourism or even as power source. Hence, it is not surprising for town or cities to be situated along river. However, as developments increases rapidly, it also means it is easier for a bigger chunk of waste to end up in river and ocean. Water pollution is also a serious problem in Malaysia. Malaysia is at number eight in the list of countries that are polluting the ocean the most. 80% of mismanaged waste on land ends up in our ocean through rivers.

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Without access to clean water, many aspects of a daily life gets affected. Poor quality of water causes diseases such as cholera, diarrhoea, typhoid and others. Can you imagine not being able to go to school, or carry out daily activities because you do not have clean water to drink?  Without proper management and poor infrastructure, water supply might not be accessible for everyone. There are countries across the world that had faced terrible droughts which leads to hunger and malnutrition. Increasing number of population also means higher consumption of water and water treatment. This is unsustainable as higher demands of water causes more dams and water treatment plant to be built which uses other natural resources, like land.

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Do you know where your water comes from?

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Water Footprint

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How many of you have heard the term “water footprint”? We need water to make all our food, clothes, or any products at all. Water footprint calculates the amount of water needed or used in our products, meals or services. For example, water needed to make a cup coffee or to grow rice, to wash your car or even to make that beautiful dark blue jeans. Hence, choose wisely before you buy a product. We need to make ensure our water resources are protected and available for future generations as well

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"No water, no life. No blue, no green." - Sylvia Earle