WWF's Global Freshwater Programme is a recognized leader in wetland conservation and issues related to water footprint, water stewardship, and water security.
Securing water for people and nature
WWF is a collaborating partner with the Stockholm International Water Institute. This year's World Water Week theme is Water Cooperation: Building Partnerships.
Baobab trees, Adansonia grandidieri, in rice paddy fields enchroached by water hyacinths. Morondava, Madagascar.
WWF @ 50
Freshwater is the source of life. It’s what makes Earth unique in the known universe. It’s also a resource under threat. Just 3 per cent of water on the planet is freshwater, and only about 1 per cent is readily available for human use.
The one-two punch of global population growth and climate change means we must be innovative and committed when it comes to water management and conservation.
The work is focused on 6 key areas:
All this work is carried out in collaboration with diverse partners, including other NGOs, governments, development agencies, businesses, and international conventions.
WWF Canon
Explore
Check out PLANET digimag's freshwater issue! In it, find out more about the Irrawaddy dolphin, one of WWF's priority species.
A few freshwater facts:
- Since 1900, more than half the world’s wetlands have disappeared
- Most of the world’s largest rivers are losing their connection to the sea and nearly a quarter of those left risk being disconnected in the next 15 years
- Water scarcity will be a certainty for 4 billion people by 2050
- Feeding the world's growing population will require water diversions close to all the water withdrawals at present
- People will feel the impact of climate change most through the distribution and seasonal and annual variability of water
- Rivers produce more then one-fifth of the world’s electricity
- More than 5 million people die from waterborne diseases each year – 10 times the number killed in wars
- 1.1 billion people still do not have access to clean and safe drinking water
- Freshwater species decline is already high, and the above-mentioned issues all impact further upon species and habitats
WWF works with farmers in rural Kenya to secure water for their households and their crops.
The primary threats to freshwater ecosystems are:
- Habitat loss
- Changes to water flow
- Pollution
- Overharvesting of water and freshwater species
- Invasive species
- Climate change
- Poor water and river basin governance
- Agriculture
- Dam construction
- Poor private sector standards, investments, and performance along the supply chain
