A Thirsty Planet: The Urgent Call for Water Conservation and the Youth Leading the Charge by Jeremy Jones

"Thousands have lived without love, not one without water." — W. H. Auden

Water is life—yet the world is running dry. From the parched fields of Sub-Saharan Africa to the shrinking glaciers of the Himalayas, a global water crisis is unfolding with alarming speed. According to the United Nations, over 2.2 billion people lack access to safely managed drinking water, and by 2025, half of the world's population will be living in water-stressed areas. The issue is not one of scarcity alone—but of misuse, pollution, and negligence.

In the face of this challenge, young changemakers are stepping up—and among them are the rising leaders trained by the United People Global (UPG) Sustainability Leadership Program. These youth aren't just talking about conservation; they're transforming their communities, one drop at a time.

The Dire State of Global Water Resources Freshwater, which sustains all terrestrial life, makes up just 2.5% of the Earth's water—and only 0.3% is accessible in lakes, rivers, and reservoirs. The rest is locked away in glaciers or underground aquifers.

Yet human activity is polluting and depleting this fragile supply. Agriculture alone accounts for 70% of global freshwater withdrawals, much of it wasted through inefficient irrigation systems. The textile industry, often overlooked, uses around 93 billion cubic meters of water per year—enough to meet the consumption needs of five million people.

Meanwhile, climate change is intensifying droughts, shrinking rivers, and altering rainfall patterns. In India, over 600 million people face extreme water stress, and 21 cities, including New Delhi and Bengaluru, are expected to run out of groundwater this decade, according to a 2018 NITI Aayog report.

Why Water Conservation Matters Now More Than Ever The consequences of water mismanagement are not limited to thirst—they touch every facet of life: food security, public health, education, gender equality, and even peace. Every minute, a child dies from a water-related disease. Girls and women in many parts of the world walk miles every day just to fetch water, losing out on education and opportunities.

Conserving water is not a luxury—it's a necessity. And it is not a problem that can be solved by governments alone. It needs a movement, powered by knowledge, compassion, and grassroots leadership.

UPG Sustainability Leadership Program: Planting Seeds for a Water-Wise Future

Enter the UPG Sustainability Leadership Program—a global initiative that trains passionate individuals to become catalysts for change in their communities. With over 1,000 trained leaders from more than 100 countries, UPG focuses on empowering young people to take concrete action on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation.

The program provides participants with:

Hands-on training in project planning, systems thinking, and sustainable development,

Access to a global network of mentors and changemakers,

Seed funding and support to launch local initiatives.

For aspiring water warriors, this program is a springboard. Past UPG sustainability leaders have launched rainwater harvesting systems in schools, run community education campaigns on water hygiene, and implemented smart irrigation technologies in drought-prone areas.

Take the example of a UPG leader in Kenya, who partnered with a local NGO to set up biosand filters in rural homes, ensuring access to clean drinking water. Or the young champion in the Philippines who led mangrove reforestation efforts to restore natural water cycles and protect coastal communities.

Building a Movement, One Ripple at a Time Water conservation is not about one massive solution—it's about millions of small, smart actions happening all over the world. Turning off taps, fixing leaks, harvesting rainwater, rethinking consumption, reusing greywater, and educating others. And no one is better placed to lead this wave of change than the youth.

As the climate clock ticks louder, the need for sustainability leadership has never been more urgent. The UPG Sustainability Leadership Program is helping build that next generation—equipping young people with the tools, vision, and courage to create lasting water solutions rooted in their unique local contexts.

A Call to Action We cannot afford to wait. Every drop saved today could mean a life saved tomorrow. Whether you’re a student, activist, educator, policymaker, or entrepreneur—you have a role to play in protecting our most precious resource.

If you’re a young changemaker with a heart for sustainability, consider applying to the UPG Sustainability Leadership Program. Let your first step be a ripple that grows into a wave.

Water is running out—but hope is not. Let us rise with it.

Sources:

United Nations Water (UN-Water)

NITI Aayog Report on Water Crisis in India (2018)

World Bank, FAO, and WHO statistics on water access and usage

--> Jeremy Jones