Water & Oceans
Fresh water sustains life on land; the oceans regulate the whole planet.
Water is constantly on the move through the water cycle — evaporating from oceans and land, forming clouds, falling as rain and snow, and flowing back through rivers and groundwater. Only a small fraction of the planet's water is fresh and accessible, which is why protecting rivers, lakes, and aquifers matters so much.
The oceans cover most of the planet and act as its thermostat. They absorb a large share of the Sun's heat and much of the carbon dioxide we emit, moderating the climate for everyone. They also feed billions of people and support an enormous range of marine life.
The main pressures on water are pollution, overuse, and warming. Runoff carries fertilizers and plastics into waterways, growing demand strains supplies, and rising temperatures disrupt marine ecosystems. Careful use, cleaner runoff, and protected marine areas all help keep these systems healthy.
Why it matters
- Less than one percent of Earth's water is fresh and readily usable.
- Oceans absorb a large portion of the planet's excess heat and carbon.
- Reducing runoff and plastic waste directly improves water quality.