World Water Day 2011: Appreciating the Power of Water

On this year's World Water Day the attention of the world is focused on the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan on March 11. The destruction and havoc wrought continues to unfold as the nuclear crisis worsens; many now fear that things could become even worse and impact the northeast of Japan for decades to come. As we all watch the alarming and powerful images coming out of Japan, I am again struck by the tremendous power of the natural world, and how water, the very substance that sustains life, can so quickly take it away. But I find myself wondering: can we use this crisis as an opportunity to again reevaluate our relationship with water and the natural world? Can we remember how fundamental it is to our existence, and how fragile our sophisticated world is when confronted with either too much or too little water?

Around the world environmentalists, scientists, economists and politicians are telling us that our future well-being and prosperity depend on water, our most precious resource. Many say that that peak oil could be overshadowed by a global water crisis as unsustainable agricultural, industrial and domestic use strain a finite water supply impacted by population growth, pollution and climate change. But is that really all water is, a resource whose sole function is to provide us with services?

For thousands of years, across cultures, water has been recognized as much more than simply a natural resource. Sacred, revered, and even sentient, it has been known as the "source of life" and has become a central part of many of the world's cultures, religions and spiritual traditions. Many of these cultures and traditions believe we are interconnected with and dependent on water, not just for our physical existence but also for our emotional, spiritual and psychological well-being. Is this just spiritual and religious nonsense, or should we look more closely at the multidimensional role water plays in our lives? As we grapple with the severity of not only the water crisis but the ecological crisis at large, maybe we should consider drawing upon this understanding and using it to help bring about the needed changes and solutions to problems we face.

These are many of the questions I've been asking myself over the last few years that eventually led me to make a film about our connection with water. After spending the last year traveling the world and seeing firsthand how bad the problems are, I am convinced that for real change to take place, we have to look at water and the natural world as an interconnected part of our lives, and to develop solutions from that understanding.

I, for one, want to use this year's World Water Day as a call to action and an opportunity to reflect on water, considering the many ways it impacts our daily lives.

Watch the trailer for "Elemental," a feature documentary film coming in 2012 (you can get involved and support the film here):

 

Comments

[ttanquary]

03:57 AM on 03/24/2011

It is simply unfathomable that we treat our environment with such casual interest. Water is at best a commodity that comes out of a tap or a plastic bottle and at worst an annoyance when it falls from the sky. The fact that it is life itself seems to be lost on most. If we can't save our water, what else is there? Keep up the good work, Emmanuel.

[marissa3]

12:42 PM on 03/23/2011

Thank you for this very timely and important message. We need to remember what is sacred. The trailer for "Elemental" is quite moving. Looking forward to the film!

[Anna florentine]

12:37 PM on 03/23/2011

Hay, HP, why is such a blog is on the side line of the living section?
Is such a blog about water is not important and appropriate enough to have a more central place the living section or even on the HP front page?
Is the reason that it is not is that it is a reflection of how we as a culture feel about water and such a question that is asked in this blog ?
I am really disappointed in you HP!!!

[Anna florentine]

12:10 PM on 03/23/2011

We are 80% water. But what we are mostly made from is abused. What is so vital to our existence is so abused, it's sacred nature is mostly forgotten on a daily basis. Thank you for attracting our attention and asking the question on this world water day "is that really all water is, a resource whose sole function is to provide us with services?" A vital reminder how much we need such a question and how thirsty we are as a culture and a civilization for an answer. Because as a culture and even as a civilization we have forgotten to revere water, to recognize water as a sacred source , a flow that constantly connects us with the mysterious cycle of life, in our outer life but also to our inner life. We are thirsty, thirsty for a response from within ourselves, for a relationship with water that recognizes that.
Looking forward to your film when completed and I hope that it will struck a note so needed. It seems that it was such a question which moved you to create it.

[Anonymous2005]

10:46 AM on 03/23/2011

Thank-you so much for the article and for your work in bringing attention to this most pressing issue of our time. Looking forward to the release of Elemental, the film delivers a powerful message, hope and pray that it resonates throughout the world.

[grassborn]

07:10 AM on 03/23/2011

Very nice article. The film looks very powerful and I can't wait to see it! I love the part where you mention that water is even "sentient", as is beautiful Earth is herself. Thank you for pursuing and sharing this important work.

[rachel5]

09:02 PM on 03/22/2011

Thank you for your reflections on water. I, too, am wondering how to communicate how sacred water is, for it is our life as the man from India in your trailer says. I learned this when I had the opportunity to partake in various ceremonies created in North America long ago. At one I was asked to bless the water for our morning meal. I was a newcomer and longed to be included. Then I was included through this simple act of trust and generosity. Gradually, over time, my experience of the sacredness of water deepened until I simply knew water is life, it is sacred and must be respected and cared for; loved. It breaks my heart every day to see how we forget this and how many of us never learned this in a conscious way.

Again thank for your questioning and your work in answering your questions as it allows me to say something of my own story. Last year, a Hopi grandmother told me that I could pray with water every day and to listen to what water wants from me. The other day a young woman told me with great confidence that remembrance of the sacred, of life, is so close and it is so easy to find. This is my prayer today, in remembrance of life and with respect and love for water in all its forms.