Water and Justice: Why a Just Transition Must Start with Clean Water - The Water Project

Every year, the World Day of Social Justice on February 20th calls attention to the need for fairness and equity in our global systems. This year’s theme, “Strengthening a Just Transition for a Sustainable Future,” focuses on making sure no one is left behind as the world shifts toward a more sustainable economy.When thinking about how clean water fits into this theme, I ran into an unusual challenge: every single story we’ve encountered in our work could apply.After all, water forms the foundation for a just transition. It determines whether a farmer can grow crops through increasingly erratic weather, whether a student can focus in school, and whether a healthcare worker can safely treat patients. Every person we’ve met who lacks access to safe, reliable water has been unjustly left behind — and every water project we’ve helped implement has been a step toward equity.That’s because access to water is the foundation of justice. No community can build a sustainable, just future without...