Depending on where you live in the United States, your relationship with water will vary greatly this spring.
If you live in Washington, D.C., average precipitation means that the cherry blossoms will arrive on schedule. In the Midwest, farmers and homeowners are forming a plan to protect crops and basements alike from spring flooding. Meanwhile, Angelenos are reckoning with empty reservoirs in the aftermath of cataclysmic wildfires in California.
The climate impacts of water – whether you need more of it, want less of it, fear it or have the luxury of not thinking too much about it – rule everything around us.
We believe deeply in the ability of our partners to find lasting solutions to protect water and address climate change.
Even in a time of deep division, safeguarding this resource shares near-universal support among Americans, with 94% agreeing that the protection of our water in lakes, streams and rivers is important.
This is a sentiment shared across political, geographic and cultural lines. Why? Because water matters to everybody, no matter where you live or what your background is. Farmers and fishers depend on it to feed us. Businesses rely on it to operate and families count on it for daily life.
Another regular occurrence in spring is World Water Day. This annual United Nations observance lets us count our wins, consider our losses and work together to focus on the continued global importance of fresh water. It’s a day to celebrate the singular lifeforce that keeps our world turning and to inspire action to tackle a global – and growing – water crisis.
The Walton Family Foundation recognizes World Water Day as one way to honor and address one of the most important challenges of our time.
By engaging with communities, working on nature-based solutions and focusing on innovation, we believe deeply in the ability of our partners to find lasting solutions to protect water and address climate change.
The good news? The generation poised to take the reins of global leadership is in broad agreement over protecting our rivers, oceans and fisheries.
A recent survey from the Walton Family Foundation and Gallup of ‘Gen Z Perspectives on Water and Climate’ finds that 93% of Americans aged 12-27 are unified in their desire to protect water from pollution.
In fact, water issues top the list of Gen Z’s climate worries. Water pollution and the health of fish and oceans comprise two of the top three concerns for all Gen Zers.
It’s no surprise, given that climate and pollution-related water issues have been front and center for their entire lives. Eighty-five percent have experienced extreme weather or climate-related events in the past two years. Three in 10 have been told their tap water is not safe to drink.
For this next generation, majorities believe the effects of climate change will get worse over their lifetime. Across political parties, Gen Z believes the U.S. can do more to protect water.
Current leaders have an opportunity to listen and learn from what the next generation is telling us. Building resilience to climate change, and working with nature to make that happen, will go a long way towards protecting communities.
Water may rule everything around us, but through collaboration there is also an opportunity to find common purpose – and create new and lasting solutions to live successfully alongside it.
Learn more about the United Nations efforts to ensure access to clean water here.
