RESOLUTION FOR BOARD MEETING OF MARCH 20, 2025
Title
RESOLUTION sponsored by the Board of Commissioners recognizing March 22nd as World Water Day
Body
WHEREAS, held annually on March 22nd, World Water Day is intended to emphasize and promote the value of water, not only in the context of a healthy, sustainable drinking source, but also in terms of the importance of water in transportation, economic development, and the overall stability of culture and society. On this day, private organizations, government agencies, and public institutions seek to highlight the global water emergency with the expectation of creating local and international partnerships that will work towards correcting the problem; and
WHEREAS, the concept of World Water Day was first introduced in 1992 at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro. On December 22, 1992, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution declaring March 22nd of each year as World Water Day, to begin in the year 1993; and
WHEREAS, the 2025 theme for World Water Day is “Glacier Preservation”. This theme seeks to emphasize that glaciers are critical to life - their meltwater is essential for drinking water, agriculture, industry, clean energy production and healthy ecosystems. Currently, rapidly melting glaciers are creating uncertainty with water flows, with profound impacts on people and the planet, making global reductions in carbon emissions and local strategies to adapt to shrinking glaciers essential. This World Water Day, we must work together to put glacier preservation at the core of our plans to tackle climate change and the global water crisis; and
WHEREAS, equal access to clean water continues to be a rising issue that divides communities and countries. More than 3 billion people are dependent upon water sources that cross national boundaries. Of the 153 countries that share rivers, lakes, streams, and aquifers, only twenty-four countries have agreements calling for the same; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that we, the Board of Commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, on behalf of ourselves and our staff, do hereby recognize March 22nd as World Water Day; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Resolution be spread upon the permanent Record of Proceedings of the Board of Commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago.
Dated: March 20, 2025