Somewhere, a world exists where more people have access to smartphones than toilets. Oh, wait. That's us.

Today marks the 20th annual World Water Day, observed on March 22 since 1993 when the United Nations General Assembly declared a global effort to improve access to clean water. Today, hundreds of multinational brands, political figures, celebrities and NGO's are offering up innovative ways to participate. 

While Americans are drinking more water than ever before, the rest of the world's water crisis is becoming increasingly pressing, making it to the agenda of the 2012 World Economic Forum in Davos. That's when a report ranked water among the top five global factors equal in impact to systemic financial failure and fiscal imbalance, with 2.7 billion people affected by water shortages, compounded by climate change and a global population nearing 8 billion.

Two official meetings—in The Hague, The Netherlands and at the U.N. Headquarters in New York City—are taking place today to facilitate a global conversation on water cooperation, this year's theme, but hundreds of initiatives have launched across the globe in support of the effort.

In keeping with the theme of 2013 being the year of water cooperations, we've found some inspiring examples of the type of public-private partnerships spurring sustainable innovation to address the world's water crisis.Continue reading...

Matt Damon, looking for a way to “persuade people to give a shit about toilets,” staged a press conference in anticipation of World Water Day, March 22. The actor's latest move pushes the continuing efforts of his non-profit, water.org, which educates people about the lack of basic sanitation and clean water for 2.5 billion people around the world.

At the faux press conference, Damon announced that “in protest of this global tragedy … until everyone has access to clean water, I will not go to the bathroom,” and he’s asking everyone to join him at Strikewithme.org.

The aim of the tongue-in-cheek campaign is serious: to move people to click on a link enabling water.org to "occasionally" use their social media accounts such as Twitter and Facebook for six week (because physically relieving yourself is comparable to the mental relief felt after posting a status update?) 

Damon—who might consider refreshing the campaign for World Toilet Day—added that “Six billion people have cell phones, but only 4.5 billion have access to improved sanitation.”

"Welcome to the petri-dish," said Mike McCamon, water.org's chief community officer. "The idea is you sign in and give permission to us for a finite period." Content will be generic yet personal, "so it looks like you posted it."Continue reading...

Today is the 20th International World Water Day, established by the United Nations in 1993 to focus attention on sustainable management of fresh water resources. Among the messages being promoted this day is the fact that close to one in eight people worldwide will not be able to find or drink one glass of safe water, and twice as many will not have access to the use of toilet (a very real crisis that gets its own global day of awareness every November).

The global water crisis is so pressing that it made the agenda at the recent World Economic Forum in Davos as a new report ranked water among the top five global factors equal in impact to systemic financial failure and fiscal imbalance reports Forbes, and globally, 2.7 billion people are affected by water shortages, compounded by climate change, and a population nearing 8 billion.

The good news, from major brands and businesses to non-profits, is that increasing attention is being paid.Continue reading...

Alexander McQueen brand expands to bespoke tailor on London's Savile Row.

American Airlines parent AMR reportedly eyeing bankruptcy court to void union contracts.

Angry Birds Space lands.

Apple antitrust suit would impact Amazon book monopoly.

Associated Press picks CEO successor.

AT&T reinvents the steering wheel.

Benihaha becomes target of takeover bids.

China factory activity shrinks in March.

Datsun revival seen as Nissan strategy not to devalue Infiniti.Continue reading...

Today is World Water Day — an international observance that grew out of the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development. Each year, the theme changes; this year, it's "Water for Cities: Responding to the Urban Challenge."

The fact that this year's World Water Day comes on the heels of the devastating Japanese earthquake, tsunami and radiation threat just calls all the more attention to the importance of water as a precious natural resource.

Even as Japan struggles to distribute clean water, food, and other vitally needed items, it is remarkable to think that Haiti continues to have its own post-earthquake issues with clean water, as indicated in Dow's World Water Day campaign.

The reality is clean water is becoming more of an issue for the world's people, and big brand marketers like Dow and Procter & Gamble (P&G) are stepping up to call attention to the issue and to help.Continue reading...

Dow is promoting the upcoming World Water Day (March 22nd) with a PSA that urges consumers to conserve water while promoting its water filtration technology and work bringing clean water to Haiti. The theme for the 18th anniversary of the UN-created event — "Water for Cities: Responding to the Urban Challenge."

We plan to update the latest on P&G's clean water commitment, and below, you can find out what Aveda is doing to promote clean water around the world. Any other brands with clean water initiatives you'd like to share? Post a comment or drop a line to editor@brandchannel.com as we continue our coverage.Continue reading...