Dow Live Earth Run for Water

Dow Live Earth Run for Water was a global series of events held on April 18, 2010, combining benefit concerts with charity runs to address the world water crisis. Organized by the Live Earth foundation in partnership with The Dow Chemical Company, it was the largest single-day public awareness and fundraising initiative for water issues at the time. The event aimed to mobilize millions of people worldwide to participate in runs and concerts while advocating for sustainable water solutions.

Background and organization

The event was conceived by Kevin Wall, founder of Live Earth, building upon the model of the Live Earth concerts held in 2007 which focused on Climate change. The 2010 initiative sought to pivot global attention toward Water security and sanitation, critical issues affecting billions, particularly in the Global South. The Dow Chemical Company served as the title sponsor, providing significant financial and logistical support, while organizational partnerships included the United Nations and various NGOs like Water.org and charity: water. The planning involved coordination with local governments and environmental groups across six continents to stage simultaneous events in major cities including Los Angeles, London, Melbourne, and Cape Town.

Events and participation

On April 18, 2010, the main events featured coordinated 6-kilometer runs, symbolizing the average distance many women and children walk daily for water, paired with musical performances. Key venues included the National Mall in Washington, D.C., Hyde Park in London, and the Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro. Performers at the concerts included prominent artists such as Pete Wentz, Angelique Kidjo, and Marianne Faithfull, who donated their time to the cause. An estimated 100,000 participants attended the physical events globally, with hundreds of thousands more engaging through affiliated "satellite runs" organized in communities worldwide and via online activism platforms.

Goals and impact

The primary goals were to raise global awareness about the scarcity of clean water and to generate funds for practical solutions. Proceeds were directed to established partners like Water.org, UN-Habitat, and the Global Water Challenge to support projects providing access to safe drinking water and sanitation in developing regions. The initiative also advocated for policy changes, urging governments to recognize water access as a fundamental human right, a principle later affirmed by the United Nations General Assembly. While the total funds raised were not fully disclosed, the campaign significantly amplified public discourse and contributed to several localized water infrastructure projects in countries like Bangladesh, Kenya, and Honduras.

Sponsorship and partners

The Dow Chemical Company's role as title sponsor was central, involving a multi-million dollar commitment that covered event costs and enabled direct grants to water projects. This partnership drew scrutiny from some environmental groups due to Dow's historical record, including its connection to the Bhopal disaster. Other corporate partners included bottled water brand Fiji Water and Procter & Gamble, which promoted its PUR water purification technology. Non-profit and institutional partners were crucial for credibility and on-the-ground implementation, notably the United Nations Development Programme, the World Water Council, and advocacy groups like the Natural Resources Defense Council.

Reception and legacy

Media coverage from outlets like CNN, BBC News, and The Guardian was extensive, generally framing the event as a well-intentioned, large-scale awareness campaign, though some critics questioned the efficacy of such "spectacle activism" and the environmental footprint of the concerts. The partnership with The Dow Chemical Company was a point of contention, highlighted by protests from organizations like Greenpeace. The legacy of Dow Live Earth Run for Water includes elevating the water crisis in mainstream environmental dialogue and inspiring subsequent campaigns, such as the UN-Water initiatives and World Water Day events. It demonstrated the potential and challenges of corporate-nonprofit partnerships in addressing global Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 6 on clean water and sanitation.

Category:2010 in the environment Category:Charity runs Category:Water and the environment Category:Live Earth