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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
- Extreme Floods Concretely Linked to Climate Change?
- Blog: Sandhill Cranes Are Home--for Now--in the Middle Rio Grande
- Planes Create Weird Clouds, Snow
- Pictures: 40-Mile "Drape" to Cover U.S. River?
- Photos: New Giant "Bearded" Crayfish Species
- Scientists Make Dozens of Storms in the Abu Dhabi Desert?
- Blog: Agriculture Becomes Our Top Environment Issue
- Cholera and Cooperation Play Into Haiti Reforestation
More About Freshwater
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Lessons From the Field
Leading water experts—from American Rivers, India's Centre for Science and Environment, and more—share stories about restoration and conversation projects around the world.
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Water Is Life
Everyday wonders reflect the primacy of water. Read more from National Geographic magazine about water's critical role in the health of humanity and the planet.
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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.
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Water News
From dams in Patagonia and drought in Pakistan to the business of bottled water and the H20 footprint of a beer, visit National Geographic News' special series on the world's water challenges.
Test Your Water IQ
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Environment Topics
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Support a Water Project
Use National Geographic's Action Atlas to immerse yourself in improving the planet's freshwater resources and protecting its aquatic species.
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Amazon Headwaters
Help protect this watershed--for the species that live there and the livelihoods that depend on it.
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Cambodia's Crocodiles
Help give the endangered Siamese croc a fighting chance by combating hunting and habitat loss.
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The Chesapeake Bay
Help stem the tide of pollution flowing into the Bay and smothering aquatic species.
Test Your Water IQ
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Climate Change and Water Quiz
How much freshwater do we have and how is the changing climate affecting our supply?
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Freshwater 101 Quiz
You might be surprised to learn where water sits around the globe, and how it is used to produce everyday goods.
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Drinking Water and Sanitation Quiz
For much of the world, drinking a glass of water is not as easy as filling up at a water cooler or even the kitchen sink.
Trace Your Family Tree
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Ancestry.com Family History
Your family tree goes back to Phoenicia. So how did your grandparents end up in Phoenix? Find out with Ancestry.com.
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School Contest
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View Entries
Check out weekly gallieries of entries in the Exceptional Experiences travel photo contest.
