A Swiss castle becomes the world’s first Water Library

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Category: Education/Family

Listening

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. focal point / ˈfoʊ kəl pɔɪnt / (n.) – a center of activity, interest, or attention within a specific context
    Example:

    The new community center became the focal point for social gatherings in the neighborhood.


  2. repository / rɪˈpɒz ɪˌtɔr i / (n.) – a place where a large amount of something, such as information, knowledge, or resources, is kept
    Example:

    The museum is a repository of historical and cultural treasures.


  3. urgency / ˈɜr dʒən si / (n.) – the quality of being very important and needing immediate attention
    Example:

    The team worked with a sense of urgency to meet the project deadline.


  4. overutilize / ˈoʊ vər ˈyut lˌaɪz / (v.) – to use something too much or more than necessary, often leading to it being used up quickly or other problems
    Example:

    Some people are used to overutilizing their smartphones and spending too much time on social media.


  5. vital / ˈvaɪt l / (adj.) – extremely important
    Example:

    It is vital to drink enough water every day to stay healthy.


Article

Read the text below.

The first World Water Library was launched in Switzerland in March, aiming to become a campaigning force for the conservation of water. The library funded by the Swiss Development Agency wants to become a focal point for solutions to water supplies dwindling because of climate change and other factors.


Campaigners hope this 17th-century castle on an idyllic spot on the river Rhine will inspire a generation of youth to think about water as our most precious resource.


The library aims to become a repository for the best evidence-based information to be made free for all. It will host events to raise awareness about the need to conserve water and it’ll aim to find solutions for people who live where there is none.


“The World Water Library Initiative from Graubünden Water is a signal of urgency and a sign of hope because we are facing several crises, but water crisis is one of the bigger ones I think will only continue to increase. We are overutilizing water resources, we are polluting the resources and we have on top of that, climate change that exacerbates water stress in many places,” says Dr. Daniel Maselli, the Senior Water Policy Advisor for the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), a branch of government that provides aid for projects in developing countries.


“So to better understand the critical role of water is very important for society. We actually are water, our bodies consist of water. So we need to take care of that vital resource and if there’s not an initiative like this World Water Library, then who will care really?” he adds.


The library is in the headquarters of the Graubünden Water Association which actively promotes the importance of water with educational programs and workshops.


Maselli says the size of environmental problems can be overwhelming, but the Water Library wants to help young people understand that even small individual actions combined can make a difference.


The library will have samples of water from all over the world, as well as books, maps, and digital information available to both experts and the public.


This article was provided by The Associated Press.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

  • Maselli asks, if there’s not an initiative like this World Water Library, then who will care really? Why do you think it is challenging to urge people to care about water resources (ex. lack of awareness, they don’t experience water shortage)? How do you think having a water library would help water conservation awareness? Discuss.
  • Campaigners hope that the World Water Library will inspire a generation of youth to think about water as our most precious resource. Why is it important to involve younger generations in water conservation efforts? Discuss.

Discussion B

  • The library is in a 17th-century castle on an idyllic spot on the river Rhine. How do you think the location of the library could help its goal to become a campaigning force for the conservation of water (ex. it could attract tourists, it could help people connect with nature)? Discuss.
  • Do you think people in your country care so much about preserving water resources? How do you say so? What do you think would encourage them to care about preserving water resources (ex. build a water library, learn about water conservation issues)? Discuss.