Reimagining Water Towers: The Walk of Water contest seeks innovative solutions

Water is a vital resource, underpinning the survival of all life forms and the foundation for economic development and societal well-being. Throughout history, water has played a central role in human culture. It is intricately woven into celebrations, rituals and spiritual practices. Yet, in many parts of the world, access to clean water is becoming increasingly challenging. Factors such as extreme weather events, over-extraction, climate change, disputes over water rights, and contamination threaten water security, with profound implications for nature, agriculture, industry, and human health.

The knowledge and awareness gap

One of the significant obstacles in tackling environmental issues like water scarcity and climate change is the pervasive lack of knowledge and awareness. A surprising 98% of environmental studies are published in English, yet only 20% of the world's population speaks the language, and a mere 5% are native speakers. This creates a substantial barrier for those most affected by climate change, often in low-income countries, to access vital information. Dense, technical reports are inaccessible to many, hindering communities from understanding the challenges they face and their potential solutions.

Creating any impact is difficult when few seem to care about water. Even in regions where information is available, short attention spans and competing priorities mean water issues often go unaddressed. Without compelling, accessible content, the critical importance of water is overlooked, leading to delayed action that often only surfaces during crises like pollution spills or natural disasters.

Walk of Water: Addressing the gap through photography and art

Through creative photography and storytelling, the Walk of Water contest amplifies awareness of the urgent need for sustainable water management practices. For the last three years, the contest inspired global audiences by inviting participants to document stories under the theme of "Water, Peace, and Prosperity." This initiative by Onewater gUG, the UNESCO World Water Assessment Programme and the City of Burghausen, showcases how art and visual storytelling can transcend barriers and reach diverse audiences worldwide.

The 2023/2024 edition of the contest received over 8,000 photos, including contributions from award-winning photographers, as well as notable participants like the Dutch Government and Mexico City. These stunning images illustrated the profound role of water as a source of life, cooperation, and prosperity. By spotlighting water's central role in fostering peace and stability, the contest succeeded in inspiring dialogue and raising awareness about sustainable water management. Participants from over 90 countries contributed their perspectives, highlighting personal experiences and innovative solutions to address the water and climate crises. Several Walk of Water exhibitions in Paris, Barcelona, Burghausen and Berlin followed.

Steps Forward: The 2025 Walk of Water contest

Looking ahead, as the world prepares to celebrate the International Year of Glacier Preservation in 2025, Onewater and UNESCO's World Water Assessment Programme will convene their fourth photostory contest to shed light on disappearing glaciers and the evolving concept of 'water towers'. These towering natural formations serve as crucial reservoirs of freshwater, but as climate change accelerates, glaciers retreat at an alarming rate. There are special regional prizes for South Asia, Europe, and Latin America and the Caribbean, with the total prize pool reaching 20,000€.

The 2025 Walk of Water contest will:

• Document the impact of climate change and glacial retreat on ecosystems, water sources, and communities, from source to sea.
• Capture the essence of natural and built water storage while acknowledging changing environments and landscapes.
• Explore new, metaphorical 'water towers', which include innovative water management solutions, alternative sources of freshwater, and artistic expressions that highlight the global water crisis.

Sponsored by MPB, the Asian Development Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, and the City of Burghausen, the 2025 contest aims to elevate the dialogue surrounding water conservation, storage, and the preservation of critical water sources, including glaciers. By leveraging the power of photography and storytelling, this initiative seeks to raise global awareness and inspire action to protect both natural and built water storage systems, which are essential for sustaining ecosystems, agriculture, and human livelihoods in the face of climate change.

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