JUST IMAGINE:
You’re stranded in the middle of the ocean. The water stretches endlessly around you. There is no sign of land but only water that shimmers under the sun like diamonds.
Wherever your eyes go, there is water everywhere. You’re thirsty, desperately thirsty, but the irony is you cannot drink a single drop. The salt in the water mocks you and reminds you of what’s out of reach.
Scary?? It sounds like a scene from a nightmare, doesn’t it?
Still feeling thirsty, please have a sip of water and maybe then we may feel grateful that we have drinking water available to us.
Well, this is a scene from the poem, “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” by Samuel Taylor Coleridge. In this poem, the mariner describes a voyage where his ship was initially guided to safety by an albatross, a large seabird considered a good omen by sailors. However, the mariner impulsively kills the bird, bringing misfortune upon the ship and its crew.
As punishment, the ship is cursed. The winds die, and the crew is stranded in the middle of the ocean without drinking water, despite being surrounded by seawater. This leads to the iconic line:
“Water, water, everywhere, / Nor any drop to drink.”
The mariner faces immense suffering as his crew dies, leaving him alone. He eventually repents and learns to appreciate and bless all of God’s creatures, breaking the curse.
The ship is guided home, but the mariner is condemned to wander the Earth, telling his tale as a warning to others about respecting nature and living with compassion.
This tale, though centuries old, feels eerily relevant today. I read the story when I was a kid and understood its literal meaning but now when I think deeply, I can connect it with so many things.
For instance: It’s a reality humanity is hurtling toward. While we may not be lost at sea yet, we are losing the few freshwater sources we have faster than we can replenish them.
Water scarcity is a reality for millions of people worldwide. Even though our planet is covered in water, only about 2.5% of it is freshwater, and about 70% of Earth’s freshwater exists as snow or locked away in glaciers. The rest? Polluted, wasted, or inaccessible.
The United Nations holds World Water Day on 22 March, a practice started in 1993, to emphasize the importance of fresh water. The theme for 2025 is Glacier preservation.
Now Let’s Face Some Startling Realities
Did you know that over two-thirds of the world’s freshwater is stored in glaciers?
These majestic ice giants support rivers and streams that sustain billions of people. But in 2025, glacier preservation has become a global theme because they are melting at alarming rates due to climate change.
So, what happens if glaciers are melting??
-We will lose freshwater
-The level of the sea will increase leading to floods
Today, 1 in 4 people lack access to clean drinking water, and this number is rising. The United Nations predicts that by 2050, 5 billion people will face water shortages.
Desalination: I always wondered, why can’t we eliminate the salt from the vast oceans that the Earth has and make it usable, after all, such a technology must exist.
Later when I read and researched, I gathered while 97% of the Earth’s water is in oceans, desalination—removing salt from seawater—is energy-intensive and expensive, making it inaccessible for most countries.
Then I realized we are, quite literally, living the Ancient Mariner’s curse.
Why Glacier Preservation Matters?
Glaciers are more than just frozen wonders of nature. They act as natural water towers, slowly releasing freshwater into rivers during dry seasons. Without them, millions of people would lose their primary water source.
But warming temperatures are accelerating their decline, leaving us with devastating consequences:
1. Rising Sea Levels: Melting glaciers contribute to sea-level rise, threatening coastal communities.
2. Water Wars: As glaciers shrink, countries dependent on shared rivers face conflicts over dwindling resources.
3. Ecosystem Collapse: Wildlife that depends on glacial meltwater faces extinction.
How Can We Act?
While glacier preservation requires large-scale global efforts, we can still make a difference through individual actions:
1. Save Water at Home
Fix leaks, turn off taps, collect wastewater from water purifiers for cleaning purposes, and initiate rainwater harvesting. Every drop saved reduces the strain on natural water sources.
2. Reduce Carbon Footprint
Glaciers melt faster because of rising global temperatures. Using energy-efficient appliances, choosing public transport, and reducing waste can all help combat climate change.
3. Educate and Inspire
Share knowledge about the importance of glaciers and water conservation. The more people know, the stronger the movement becomes.
Now we can participate in the UN’s campaign by using the resources available on their website and spread the word about water conservation- World Water Day – Resources | United Nations
A Lesson from the Ancient Mariner
Now coming back to my favourite poem: The mariner’s haunting words, “Water, water, everywhere, nor any drop to drink,” were a reflection of his curse for disrespecting nature.
Today, we face a similar curse—not from an act of impulse, but from years of neglect and overexploitation.
But we still have a chance to change the ending of our story. By valuing water, preserving glaciers, and taking conscious steps toward conservation, we can break free from the cycle of scarcity.
Let’s not wait until we’re surrounded by undrinkable water to act.
The question is: What will you do today to ensure there’s a drop to drink tomorrow?
References:
- https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/5-billion-people-will-face-water-shortages-by-2050-u-n-says/
- https://www.unwater.org/our-work/world-water-day#:~:text=World%20Water%20Day%2C%20held%20on%2022%20March%20every,billion%20people%20living%20without%20access%20to%20safe%20water.
- https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/43997/the-rime-of-the-ancient-mariner-text-of-1834
- https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/drinking-water
- https://iwa-network.org/desalination-past-present-future/
- https://www.ipcc.ch/srocc/chapter/chapter-4-sea-level-rise-and-implications-for-low-lying-islands-coasts-and-communities/
PS1: This post is a part of ‘H2OhSnap Blog Hop’ hosted by Manali Desai and Sukaina Majeed under #EveryConversationMatters“
PS2: This blog post is part of ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla.
Cerebration 
Reading “The Fight For Fresh Water” was a real eye-opener for me. The vivid imagery of being surrounded by undrinkable seawater made me appreciate the freshwater we often take for granted. I was shocked to learn that glaciers, which store most of our freshwater, are melting rapidly due to climate change. The potential consequences—like rising sea levels and water shortages—are alarming. I had always thought desalination was a simple fix, but the article clarified how energy-intensive and costly it is. This piece has inspired me to be more mindful of my water usage and support initiatives aimed at preserving our precious water resources. It’s a wake-up call that we all need to act now to protect our planet’s future.
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Thank you for stopping by. I am glad the post resonated with you. Yes, we need to come together and do our bit to save every drop that we can for the future!
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I remember having read this poem in college. Indeed, if we don’t respect natural resources, we will have to face the punishment. It’s time we do our bit to save the envionment. Thank you for highlighting the perils of the melting of glaciers.
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Thank you for sharing your thoughts here!
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Congratulations Pinkii
You have driven the point home with hard hitting facts.
It is only through such posts can awareness and urgency be created towards water conservation.
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Thank you so much!
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Congratulations Pinkii
You have driven the point home with hard hitting facts.
It is only through such posts can awareness and urgency be created towards water conservation.
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Reading this once again made me realize how limited and precious freshwater really is. I always thought desalination was a simple fix, but learning about its high costs changed my perspective. Much needed wake-up call to be more mindful of water conservation. #BlogaberryDazzle
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Indeed, it is precious! High time we realize it before it’s too late. Thanks for reading again!
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The start of your blog really gave me goosebumps, made me realise how crucial it is to have fresh water.
I learned something new today, so thanks to you. 😊
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It’s good to know that the blog could create such an impact. Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
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A very informative post presented imaginatively. The Ancient Mariner lingers on in the reader’s consciousness even as the albatross stayed with the sailor… Loved this post
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Thank you so much!
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This is such a powerful and thought-provoking read! The connection between the ancient mariner’s curse and our current water crisis really hits hard. It’s a wake-up call to take water conservation seriously before it’s too late!
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Thank you Neha!
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Wow, what a coincidence! I also wrote about Coleridge’s masterpiece as an introduction! Fresh water is so scarce, still we remain ignorant of the drastic changes our lives can go through in future.
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It is such a coincidence that my post also touched on the experience of ‘The Ancient Mariner’ and the lessons to be learnt from the poem. I do agree that there is much that we need to do to conserve water and the natural resources that we are blessed to enjoy at the moment. Wonderfully expressed!
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Thank you so much! Yes, indeed a coincidence. I read your wonderful blog that goes beyond ‘The Ancient Mariner’ poem and highlights the importance of water through mythology, history, and literature. A beautiful compilation indeed!
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The lines of the poem remind us strongly as to how important it is to have not just water but fresh water. It’s an effort we all need to make as a community. You strongly addressed the need of the hour.
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I liked how you chose a poem to express your sentiment and create awareness Pinki. Your post was quite informative too.
The Rime of the Ancient Mariner was in our ICSE syllabus and to this day, the first thought that comes to my mind whenever I see an ocean is, ‘water water everywhere nor any drop to drink.’ And like you Pinki, I too have often wondered why we haven’t been able to come up with something to change the quality of sea water n make it household use worthy. With all the advancement in technology and people dreaming of owning houses in Mars, we are slowly being deprived of one of the most easily accessible things, water. It’s the biggest irony of our times.
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Thank you, Kaveri. I am glad the post resonated with you. Yes, I too have read the poem in my school that followed the ICSE board. Somehow, these lines always stayed with me and resurfaced when I read about this month’s prompt. Thank you for sharing your thoughts here.
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I liked how you chose a poem to express your sentiment and create awareness Pinki. Your post was quite informative too.
The Rime of the Ancient Mariner was in our ICSE syllabus and to this day, the first thought that comes to my mind whenever I see an ocean is, ‘water water everywhere nor any drop to drink.’ And like you Pinki, I too have often wondered why we haven’t been able to come up with something to change the quality of sea water n make it household use worthy. With all the advancement in technology and people dreaming of owning houses in Mars, we are slowly being deprived of one of the most easily accessible things, water. It’s the biggest irony of our times.
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Indeed, what goes around comes around. The Rime of the ancient mariner talks of ancient times but it is becoming a reality now. You have shared so much data and facts about the alarming state we are in. I hope every individual does their bit and not waste water. I try my best not to waste a single drop.
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That’s really inspiring to know that you try not to waste a single drop. I am trying to do my bit too. It’s high time we all need to do our bit; only then can we see significant changes in the future. Thank you for stopping by and sharing your thoughts!
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Your post is informative Pinky. The research you have made and the facts are unbelievable. I didn’t know so much details about glacier. But this is true situation and I hope it will not get worsen. People will save water. I read that poem when I was in college. You used it very well to express your feelings.
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Thank you so much! Glad to know that you found the post informative.
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I read this poem in my early 20s. And it didn’t really hit me then. Now, 3 decades later, I see how farsighted Coleridge was. He taught generations how to value water, but we didn’t learn. See the result and the changes. I hope we stop and step back to ensure we don’t face the same catastrophe.
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Yes, the poem was ahead of its time, and only now are we truly realizing its significance. I hope that our small contributions today lead to meaningful improvements in the future.
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You have come up with perfect points. Kids should be taught at school. Very informative
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The fight for water conservation is as real as it can get in our current scenario. Bangalore had a big water shortage problem in 2024, and that’s when restrictions on the use of water was brought into effect. I wonder why we need laws to do commonsensical things. That’s how we are, I suppose. So happy to read two write-ups in this season on water conservation. Great, insightful article.
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Your piece is both thought-provoking and beautifully written! I love how you wove The Rime of the Ancient Mariner into the pressing issue of water scarcity, making it feel urgent yet poetic. Your passion for conservation shines through, inspiring readers to take action. Truly engaging and impactful!
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Nicely written well researched post! Keep going.
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oh man, you reminded me of my school days with that poem. Understood the meaning but never the depth and dangers of it back then. Those are some alarming statistics you presented especially the prediction that by 2050, 5 billion people will face water shortages. The practical steps you suggested for action at an individual/household level should serve as a valuable guide for those willing and wanting to make a difference.
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Water water everywhere , no drop to drink. This phrase has stayed with me ever since I had read the poem in my school. Such a thought provoking post Pinki!
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I love how this post highlights the importance of fresh water and the looming crisis we’re facing with glaciers melting. It’s a powerful reminder to respect and preserve our water sources. I’m inspired to take action now!
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I love The Rime of the Ancient Mariner. Your post reminded me of it. Your tips to save water closer home is so very relevant and wish more people take this scary possibility seriously
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We are fast moving towards a water scarce world. Individual initiatives are important, but it is important for us to build more resource efficient structures – that save water and energy. These acts are required at a large scale.
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loved how you chose to write on this important topic! Every little deed towards preserving water counts!
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The fight for water it truly shall be if we don’t wake up and make changes in our lifestyles in time. Water is our lifeline and we must treat it with respect by not wasting it and using it prudently.
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This really made me think. I’ve read The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, but your connection to today’s water crisis adds so much depth. It’s a great wake-up call to appreciate what we have and take care of our resources. Thank you for sharing this.
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I remember this poem was in my course book , your blog made me feel nostalgia and reminded me how difficult it was to be remembered and too long😂
Your blog is insightful and thanks for sharing those stats and tips.
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though we have enough drinking water now, we should be on the alert and try to conserve as much as possible lovely read
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Thank you!
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The step to start at home is so necessary and should be made mandatory if we really want to save the glaciers or any freshwater.
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True, without individual effort, expecting a miracle at the global level is impossible. Thanks for taking the time to read the post!
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It is indeed a scary scenario.
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Sadly yes! But hopefully with collective effort, the situation can be improved!
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