World Water Day: Companies Helping Billions Access This Basic Human Right

Mar 25, 2019 3:00 PM ET

Cone Insights

Friday marked World Water Day, an annual international observance created by the UN to advocate for and grow awareness of sustainable management of freshwater resources as a worldwide issue. Despite the world’s technological advances, billions of people still do not have access to clean and safe water.

According to the UN, water is the primary channel through which we will feel the impacts of climate change, but in the absence of progress and leadership from governments around the globe, 58 percent of consumers say companies should take the lead in addressing climate change. Even more Americans (78 percent) believe companies must do more than make profits; they must positively impact society as well. In celebration of World Water Day 2019, here are a few companies doing it right:

Make it Your Mission:

Some companies, like LifeStraw*, are purpose-driven at their core. LifeStraw’s products – water bottles, straws and pitchers that filter out 99.99 percent of all bacteria – are driven by its mission: to provide access to clean water to as many people in need as possible. LifeStraw takes its mission a step further by, for every product sold, providing clean water to a child in need for an entire school year. The company embarks on annual give-back trips to Kenya and other areas without access to safe water to install community filters in schools for these children.

Hold Decision-Makers Accountable:

Global Citizen, an international advocacy organization, and P&G partnered to host a gathering in celebration of World Water Day in Nigeria. The March 19 event included an open conversation calling on the Nigerian government to take the necessary steps toward clean and sanitary water to improve Nigerians’ quality of life. The gathering brought key leaders in for high-level discussions between activists, decision-makers and, most importantly, the country’s citizens, around how they can all contribute to the change.

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