Read the Twitter Chat on ‘All Things Water’
Water is, quite literally, our lifeblood. It affects every living being on the planet and without it, businesses cannot function, families cannot cook a safe meal, economies cannot grow and nature cannot flourish. But issues surrounding the health of our oceans are quickly reaching a tipping point.
The Gulf of Mexico’s economy pumps $234 billion every year into our national economy and supports more than 20 million jobs. It produces more than a third of the seafood Americans eat, including 60% of our oysters and more than 80% of our shrimp.
The Mississippi River alone deposits more than 3.3 million gallons of water into the Gulf every second, contributing more than 90% of the fresh water entering the Gulf.
Oyster reefs and wetlands are natural buffers against rising sea tides and hurricanes, but the Gulf is losing these natural shock absorbers at an astonishing rate: 50% of its oyster reefs, nearly 50% of its wetlands, 60% of its seagrass beds and more than 32% of its mangroves are gone.
The story is much the same for freshwater supplies, where record heat, record drought and wildfires have ravaged much of natures reverves.
The World Bank reports 80 countries now have water shortages that threaten health and economies, and 40% of the world — more than 2 billion people — have no access to clean water or proper sanitation.
To learn more checkout the Twitter Chat on ‘All Things Water’ #TNCH2O with Stephanie Wear — the Conservancy’s director of coral reef conservation — and TNC’s Texas State Director Laura Huffman who answer questions about the intersection of reliable freshwater supplies and the health of oceans.
Ensuring our water supplies for the future isn’t just about saving nature for nature’s sake. It is ultimately about safeguarding our standard of living and a future for our children. The Nature Conservancy works to protect water for people and nature, and you can help – visit the website to learn about sustainable solutions, donate or volunteer in a community project ‘to preserve the world’s water’.
