Main Content
By 2050, a third of the people on Earth may lack a clean, secure source of water. Join National Geographic in exploring the local stories and global trends that define the world's water crisis. Learn about freshwater resources and how they are used to feed, power, and sustain all life. See how the forces of technology, climate, human nature, and policy create challenges and drive solutions for a sustainable planet.
Freshwater Videos
Freshwater News
- Photos: Africa's Disappearing Damselflies, Fish, and Wildflowers
- Blog: Tiny Shrimp in Drinking Water
- Blog: Drip Irrigation to Solve Famine in the Sahel?
- Blog: Coal Ash Continues to Pollute Groundwater
- Blog: Five Years After Katrina, An Important Lesson Goes Unlearned
- China Tries New Resettlement, Water Plan
- Sewage Could Spawn Hurricane Protection
- Pakistan Flood Pictures
Test Your Water IQ With Quizzes From the Green Guide
More About Freshwater
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About NGS and Water
The National Geographic Society’s freshwater initiative is a multi-year global effort to inspire and empower individuals and communities to conserve freshwater and the diversity of life it sustains.
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10 Things You Can Do
The average American lifestyle demands 1,800 gallons a day to support, with 70 percent of that going to support our diets—more than twice the global average for daily use.
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How Much Water Per Pound?
Find out how much water it takes to put beef, wheat, and more on your plate.
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Why Care About Water?
Just less than one percent of the planet's water is available to meet the daily drinking water, sanitation, and food needs of nearly seven billion people and millions of other species.
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Water Conservation Tips
Learn how to cut gallons from your household use, diet, energy, transportation, and consumer choices.
In the Field
Environment Topics
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Water Blog Posts
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Passing the Point of Peak Water
Some experts say the world has passed the era of cheap, easy-to-access water.
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Asian Water Shortages May Not Be as Bad as Previously Thought
Some rivers may not suffer from glaciers melting as much as previously thought.
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Human Actions Cause Extinction of Madagascan Bird
The alaotra grebe is extinct, and human actions are to blame, say conservationists.
Green Guide Buying Guides
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Washing Machines
Energy-efficient washers can use up to 50 percent less energy and 60 percent less water than standard machines.
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Water Filters
U.S. drinking water is protected under federal law, but experts warn that tap water increasingly does not meet health guidelines.
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Dishwashers
If your current dishwasher is more than 10 years old, it likely uses between eight and 15 gallons of water per cycle. Time to upgrade.
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Watch Video
Watch Casey Anderson with his lovable best friend Brutus, the 800-pound brown bear that he raised from birth.
