Without water, there is no life. We are made of 75% water and the planet we live on is made up of 70% water. It’s found practically everywhere and anywhere on Earth, from the polar ice caps to steamy geysers.

Human life originates in water. From conception to birth, a child is nurtured in a sac of water (amniotic fluid) which protects the foetus from physical harm and then, nine months later, the birth of a child begins with the ‘breaking of the waters’.

Water is also needed for plant and animal life to exist. Rainfall leads to the growth of wild grasses and trees, which in turn help to protect the Earth’s surface from soil erosion stemming from the effects of wind among other things.

Wild grasses are a natural source of animal food. Grasses are also used for different purposes such as thatching roofs and weaving. Rainfall is also critically important for dry-land crop production, which is a major source of food and commercial crops. But it’s not just on Earth; as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) have the motto ‘follow the water’. Experts reassure us that it’s impossible to find life on a planet without water.

Back to our planet now though, because in many traditional cultures, water is linked to people’s identity. If you destroy their water resource, you deprive them of their cultural identity. Also, in many cultures water has an important social function, especially for women.

Water has very unique physical and chemical properties, many of which are significant in biology. The human brain is 85% water. Fresh – and clean – drinking water is crucial to humans and other life forms.

The adult body requires on average around 2 litres of water a day to function properly. Of course, this amount varies depending on the level of activity, temperature, humidity and the body’s physical state. It also depends on whether a person is fit or unfit, and whether there is the presence of an illness. Most of the water is ingested in foods and the rest is taken as pure water.

After reading through this, I don’t know about you, but I need a drink. Water, anyone?

*Sources: https://www.livescience.com/52332-why-is-water-needed-for-life.html – https://www.bartleby.com/essay/Why-is-Water-Essential-for-Life-on-F3JR6JPYTC