Water isn't just an environmental issue – it’s a humanitarian emergency

To quote one of the greatest artists of all time, Leonardo da Vinci, “water is the driving force of all nature”. It’s also the driving force for change.

But true change can only start with water.

This profound message was spread loud and clear at Buckingham Palace last week when I joined WaterAid at the Water and Climate Reception hosted by The King. The event brought together young leaders, decision-makers and high-profile guests to drive attention and action on climate change and water.

I had the incredible honour of meeting his majesty during which we discussed my journey to Lagos, Nigeria, with WaterAid and the devastating impact deforestation is having on the water supply.

Water has a role in protecting every part of our existence, including our planet. His majesty reminded me of the harsh reality of deforestation; it not only strips the land of its natural defences but also disrupts entire ecosystems, contaminating water sources and deepening the crisis for communities already on the brink. This isn’t merely an environmental issue, it’s a humanitarian emergency.

In my opening speech at the event, I said it’s not just about having clean drinking water; it’s about education, opportunity, equality, health, and livelihoods. And I genuinely mean it.

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When we keep clean water flowing, we create a brighter, more resilient future for all – without it, futures are at stake.

I have experienced the impact of lacking access to basic essentials firsthand. I spent my teenage years grappling with homelessness – it was a fight for survival. I was fortunate to find a home eventually, but the lingering empathy for anyone struggling without fundamental human rights has never left me.

Last year, I returned to my father’s hometown, Lagos, Nigeria, with WaterAid. Lagos is a city like no other – vibrant and electric. As Africa’s largest metropolis and the beating heart of the Nollywood film industry, it pulses with creativity, ambition and resilience.

From the bustling markets of Balogun to the shimmering coastline of Victoria Island, every corner of Lagos tells a story of innovation and survival. The city’s entrepreneurial spirit is unmatched, with tech hubs, fashion houses and music studios shaping the future of Africa.

Yet, beneath its energy, Lagos also grapples with a crisis that disproportionately affects its most vulnerable communities – access to clean water. ­

Nearly one in 10 people worldwide lack access to clean water close to home. This issue is exacerbated by climate change, as extreme weather increasingly becomes the new normal. A recent WaterAid report revealed that nearly 40% of global cities are facing severe climate shifts, from intensifying droughts to worsening floods, with half of the world’s most populous cities, including Lagos, becoming wetter.

Behind these statistics are families whose homes and crops are destroyed and whose water supplies become contaminated, leaving them exposed to disease.

My journey to Lagos was both emotional and profoundly eye-opening. Witnessing firsthand the devastating consequences of an inadequate water supply was deeply moving. Entire communities battle with this, children are unable to wash their hands, girls miss school during their periods and women walk miles daily just to collect water. It’s a stark reality that feels more like a scene from a dystopian film. Yet, in 2025, this is not fiction.

I met a group of children who didn’t have daily access to clean water and toilets at their primary school. One of the students, Happiness (14), whose dream is to become a dancer, told me how she avoids going to school when on her period because she doesn’t feel comfortable using the toilets to change her pad as they are right next to a bush, without doors and windows.

Then there’s Mary, a 13-year-old aspiring barrister who fears drinking the water because of its foul smell – she knows it could make her sick.

A child’s focus should be on learning, playing and dreaming – not on the fear of illness.

When children have the essentials, the change in their spirit is captivating. In fact, the future of our world changes because we have invested in their future.

WaterAid’s work in this school, where they refurbished the toilets and sinks and added separate female-friendly toilets, means every girl there can manage her periods privately and hygienically, allowing them all to enjoy a healthy and fulfilling school life.

These changes mean these children can be children again, their laughter filling the school playground. And that is all thanks to clean water. The biggest takeaway from my trip was that access to a safe and functioning water supply transforms daily life.

After witnessing firsthand the profound difference WaterAid’s work is making in Lagos, I can say with certainty – change truly begins with water.

Now is the time for action on water and climate. The survival of those on the frontlines of climate change depends on it. It is our collective duty to invest in change, invest in the future, and invest in clean water.

So yes, we all need to play our part to create change – but ultimately change starts with water.

Ariyon Bakare is an actor and WaterAid ambassador. World Water Day is recognised on 22 March.

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