Water plays an integral role across our economy, our wellbeing and the environment. From handwashing during the COVID-19 pandemic to the devastating events of the recent bushfires and floods across Australia, clean water is essential to how our society survives, essentially holding life in every drop. Yet, Australian’s barely acknowledge their reliance on tap water or include it in the climate conversation.
At the Water Night launch event held in Sydney last night, Tanya Plibersek, Federal Minister for the Environment and Water announced, “We cannot wait for the well to run dry before we realise the worth of our water. Initiatives like The Water Conservancy's Water Night can highlight the value of life sustaining water for the Australian community. Small actions like participating in Water Night can go a long way to reminding us all how much we take for granted, safe, reliable water.”
Water Night is a symbolic national water awareness event held during National Water Week. Participants are asked to avoid using taps and running water between 5pm and 10pm. It challenges Australians to realise just how often they reach for the tap on a day-to-day basis and to support stronger action on climate change and sustainability.
With the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water sponsoring this national event, Water Night aims to motivate more individuals to include water in their sustainability efforts and to be more conscious of the value they place on water and its value to communities and the environment.
Tap water is a necessity for Australians, however, only 42% regard it as precious with 45% saying they don’t think about where it comes from. The least water mindful and the least water literate generation are Gen Z, but they are also the most committed to change and hence a big focus for this year’s Water Night campaign – ‘Life in every drop’.
“Australia’s Gen Z population may be motivated by climate action and the severity of it, however, within the climate action conversation, water gets little attention and ironically, Gen Z happen to be the least water efficient consumers of water in Australia.” said Chris Philpot, CEO of The Water Conservancy. “We want to reframe how this generation thinks and acts on water usage, and we believe that through the backing of our Federal Government, we can change mindsets and ultimately improve water conservancy for the greater good of the environment. We need to treat water with the highest value as there is truly ‘life in every drop’.”
Minister Plibersek is taking the challenge and asking fellow Australians to too, “Join me and my family and sign up for water night. Together we will be joining a nationwide community supporting stronger climate action and increasing water awareness.” she said.
Sign up for Water Night on 20 October at https://waternight.com.au/
Water Night Launch
5 October - Event held at Bangarra Dance Company, Sydney
Sponsored by Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
Drinks sponsored by the Hidden Sea and Four Pines
Speakers: Dr Anita VanDyke - Rocket Scientist and Author, Chris Philpot - CEO The Water Conservancy, Roch Cheroux - Chairman Water Services Association Australia (WSAA) and MD Sydney Water and the Minister for the Environment and Water - The Hon. Tanya Plibersek MP
Water Night
20 October 5pm-10pm
Water Night has been an ongoing annual, national event for 3 years with 10 000 people having participated so far who have shown a 24% increase in water literacy and a further 18% increase in knowledge about water used for everyday tasks. Water Night has state support with Taswater, Tamworth Regional Council, Dubbo Regional Council, Tweed Shire Council, PowerWater, Midcoast Council, Wannon Water and Water Corporation with broader support from Water Services Association (WSAA), and product innovators Lawn Solutions, WaterUps and Hoselink. More details about this initiative at https://thewaterconservancy.org/water-night/
The Water Conservancy
The Water Conservancy, a not-for-profit organisation that provides independent water efficiency expertise, facilitation and excellence to create a more conscious and efficient approach to water use in Australia. To learn more, visit https://thewaterconservancy.org/
Water Night 2022 Launch Gallery
