March 22 is World Water Day. Water is integral to our lives in so many ways. Of course we need water for survival, but we don’t just use it for drinking. Water is key to things like cleaning, manufacturing and electricity. In fact, water and energy are inextricably linked. This year, the UN’s World Water Day is focusing on teaching people about the links between water and energy, and raising awareness about how preserving water helps preserve energy, and vice versa. That’s because water provides hydroelectricity (Canada’s Niagara Falls are one of the world’s greatest sources of power) while electricity also provides us with clean water (because it’s required in everything from the extraction and treatment to the distribution of water). One other important thing that links water and energy? While the demands for both are growing, the supply is quickly shrinking. That’s why we need to start thinking more about conserving both­. There’s a lot to be done by policy makers and corporations, but there are things you can do too. For starters, teach others— including your kids!—about the importance of conserving water. And share this video to help spread awareness and understanding about the need to change our water use habits. [HTML1] Read up on our ways to conserve water and our ideas for saving energy (and money!) at home. (Photography: Angeloleithold 2005)