"Water covers over 70 percent of our planet and is essential to life-from sustaining ecosystems and regulating climate to providing the drinking water communities rely on every day. But as climate change accelerates, water systems around the world are under increasing stress. Rising sea levels, shifting precipitation patterns, drought, flooding and contamination are threatening aquatic habitats and water security-posing serious risks to both environmental and public health."
"Climate change, in many ways, is a water crisis. Climate impacts become apparent in water first, changing precipitation patterns and intensifying droughts and floods. Water scarcity can exacerbate social and political tensions. Access to clean drinking water is a human rights issue. Agriculture relies heavily on water for crops and food production to keep up with food demands worldwide. Sea levels rise as a result of climate change and threaten coastal areas and island communities, which becomes a human crisis that needs all our attention."
Water covers over 70 percent of the planet but only about 2.5 percent is freshwater, most of which is inaccessible. Climate change manifests primarily through water, shifting precipitation patterns, intensifying droughts and floods, and increasing contamination. These effects threaten aquatic habitats, agricultural production, drinking water access, and public and environmental health. Water scarcity can intensify social and political tensions and constitute a human-rights concern. Sea-level rise imperils coastal and island communities, compounding humanitarian crises. Global responses must address freshwater availability, infrastructure resilience, contamination prevention, and equitable water access to protect ecosystems and communities.
Read at State of the Planet
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