water

we're in a water crisis, but few are talking about it. so let's fix it.

Only 3% of the earth's water is fresh (drinkable). And most of it is locked up in glaciers, polar ice caps, etc. Which means only .5% of the earth's water is available to us. And given the increasing rate at which we're using that fresh water (growing population, unsustainable farming practices, etc), we're barrelling toward a dangerous outcome where billions of people will not have access to clean water. Thirsty for solutions? Read more below so you can tap into the exciting wave of water sustainability.

Why

Just a few facts & stats to illustrate why this matters

These should get your attention:

  • The water you drink today has likely been around in one form or another since dinosaurs roamed the Earth, hundreds of millions of years ago.
  • According to the United Nations, water use has grown at more than twice the rate of population increase in the last century. 
  • By 2025, an estimated 1.8 billion people will live in areas plagued by water scarcity, with two-thirds of the world’s population living in water-stressed regions.
  • The average hamburger takes 2,400 liters (630 gallons) of water to produce
  • Fun fact: the human body 60 percent water
  • The International Energy Agency projects that at current rates, freshwater used for water production will double over the next 25 years. At the current pace, there will not be enough freshwater available to meet global energy needs by 2040.
  • Leaky pipes lose huge amounts of water on the way to homes in both modern and developing countries. It is estimated that in the United States 2.1 trillion gallons of treated water is lost each year from leaks. 
  • The lack of adequate water treatment is resulting in widespread pollution of freshwater resources. A UN and Pacific Institute report estimates that 2 billion tons of human, animal, and industrial waste are dumped untreated into freshwater bodies each year.
  • Millions of people die each year from preventable diseases, after drinking water from an unsanitary source.
In spite of all this, many of the worlds leaders are not taking this seriously enough. So investors and donors need to step up and lead the charge.

Listen

Content that inspires

Podcasts are one of the best ways to absorb information on fixing our water crisis. Check out these notable podcasts so you can find what you need to know:

Watch

Films & Talks

There's no shortage of great documentaries on water. These are a few we really like:
  • Watermark: diverse stories from around the globe about our relationship with water
  • Thirsty World: This film showcases individuals changing the ways that they manage water.
  • Last Call At The Oasis: Erin Brockovich's super-informative look at water from every angle.
  • Liquid Assets: a fascinating look at the critical role that water infrastructure plays in our everyday life.
  • TED Talks on Water (Various)
  • Blue Gold: a powerful film about the fight to stop corporate theft of the world's water.

Read

Books & Articles

Sometimes there's nothing better than cozying up on the couch with a book. These gems are worth a look:

Live

you can do a lot to help, everyday

These tips can give you the power in everyday life to easily limit the amount of water we use: 

Give

charities addressing water scarcity

Our top picks for charities with low overhead and effective campaigns to water sustainability. We've done our homework so you don't have to.

For those looking to do their own homework or simply looking to explore other options, check out these sites:

Invest

How to make money and affect change

Impact investing is one of the most effective ways to change the world. Learn more about how to solve our water crisis (while making profit!) in the Impact Investing section.

Organizations / Information to be aware of: