Earth Day
Water access is essential for life on Earth. How does Water For People's work to create and sustain water access intersect with sustainability, climate change, and environmentalism?
The Work in Action
Through work with local communities, Water For People is promoting strong water resource management and protection. Because we want the benefits of water, sanitation, and hygiene access to extend into the future.
Meet the Water For People team members and community partners working in Guatemala to protect water sources through forestation and watershed planning and protection.
Sign our Pledge
Add your name and share your belief in water access for future generations.
By signing our pledge and sharing your email with us, we will occasionally include you in email updates from Water For People. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Climate Change Impacts
Climate change affects water and sanitation access for people through more devastating weather events including floods, droughts, storms, and landslides.
From too much, too little, or too polluted water, more people are experiencing crises, specifically the populations least responsible for climate change.
We partner with communities and governments to ensure water sources are protected, infrastructure can handle more extreme weather events, and funds are set aside for ongoing operation and maintenance.
Nature Based Solutions
The water cycle intersects with trees and forestation.
- Trees help improve water quality by slowing and filtering rainwater.
- Trees prevent soil erosion and reduce flood damage.
- Trees act as water reservoirs by taking in water from the soil and releasing it through their leaves. The added moisture in the air results in cloud formation, which leads to rainfall and the continuation of the water cycle.
Water For People is leading strategic, native tree planting to promote strong, sustainable, resilient environments so that water sources are protected and access can continue into the future.
The People Most Affected
More people are experiencing the negative effects of climate change, specifically the populations least responsible for causing it.
Additionally, climate change – and how it affects water supply and sanitation issues – has a greater impact on girls and women than on men. When you’re already the one walking miles to collect water or use a bathroom, drought or flooding complicates that task even further.
When it comes to natural disasters, increasing in frequency and intensity due to climate change, women, children, people experiencing poverty, older people, and people with disabilities are the most impacted. And especially dangerous for women and girls is the increase in gender-based violence after natural disasters.
Water For People includes women in decision-making within their communities and empowers them to lead the solutions in our water, sanitation, hygiene, and environmental work.
The Numbers
Only 0.5% of the water on Earth is useable and available freshwater – and climate change is dangerously affecting that supply.
Trees generate 75% of the world's freshwater supply by guiding water into rivers, lakes, and groundwater tables.
Water supply and sanitation systems that can withstand climate change could save the lives of more than 360,000 infants every year.
Take Action
Donate today in honor of Earth Day. You can help ensure communities have water access that extends for future generations.
Thank you to our partner Brenntag for supporting Water For People and sponsoring our Earth Day activities.