Today, I discovered, is World Water Day – declared by the United Nations in 1993 to raise awareness of water supply issues around the world.

When the simple twist of a faucet brings fresh, drinkable water right into your home, water is an easy thing to take for granted here in the (Rain)Coast Mountains.

But, a watershed map of the world shows how deeply connected everything, and everyone, (including our vulnerabilities), is.

Canada’s 594 local watersheds flow into five major watersheds: the Atlantic Ocean, Hudson Bay, Arctic Ocean, Pacific Ocean and Gulf of Mexico.

As Sara Stratton posts on rabble.ca today: “Our watersheds connect us, here in Canada and around the world. How we relate to those watersheds is, in turn, a measure of how we respect each other as communities and as a nation. On World Water Day, perhaps it’s time to examine those relationships.”

Here’s one approach to that, via Nichola Napora, a local yogini and designer.

Alternatively, you could accept the winter challenge that is doing the rounds and go for a dip in the river. Your choice.