Water scarcity: 8 facts you need to know

Overhead photo of Rio Grande

More and more, people are experiencing the climate crisis through water. Water cycle patterns are disrupted meaning rainfall or snowmelt arrives either too early or too late or with too big or too little amounts—causing droughts or floods and impacting people and nature everywhere. Here are eight key things to know about water scarcity and what WWF is doing to help.

1. Freshwater is limited and essential

Although water covers 70% of the Earth’s surface, only about 3% is freshwater, and less than 1% is accessible for human use. This small fraction sustains ecosystems, agriculture, and communities. Unfortunately, pressures like pollution and over-extraction are depleting this resource faster than it can be replenished.

2. Millions lack access to clean water

Globally, more than 2 billion people live in areas facing water stress regardless of the country’s wealth. Communities struggle daily to access clean water for drinking, cooking, and sanitation. This crisis disproportionately affects women and children, who often bear the burden of collecting water in many places.

A young man delivers water in the drought-impacted Indus River region

3. Rivers are drying up

Some of the world’s most vital rivers are shrinking, with dire consequences for people and wildlife. For example, the Rio Grande-Rio Bravo, which flows between the US and Mexico, has seen its flows diminish due to increased water demand and prolonged drought. It would take 1.5 Rio Grandes to meet its current water demand. WWF is working with partners (Trout Unlimited, Rio Grande Return, Defenders of Wildlife, and Rio Grande Joint Venture) to restore habitats along the river and promote sustainable water use.

4. Climate change intensifies scarcity

As temperatures rise, droughts are becoming more frequent and severe, while unpredictable rainfall patterns make water management increasingly challenging. In the Indus River basin, which supports millions in Pakistan, climate impacts, such as recent floods, threaten water security for both agriculture and daily life. WWF collaborates with the government of Pakistan to restore floodplains and wetlands which store water naturally for times of drought and help local communities to harvest rainwater and implement water-efficient farming techniques.

5. Wetlands are disappearing

Wetlands—nature’s water filters and flood buffers—are vanishing three times faster than forests. Freshwater ecosystems have experienced an 85% decline in biodiversity since 1970, the steepest drop among all ecosystems. The Pantanal, the world’s largest tropical wetland, spans Brazil, Bolivia, and Paraguay and is home to iconic species like jaguars and giant otters. WWF is championing conservation efforts to safeguard this biodiversity hotspot and the water resources it provides.

The world's largest wetland, the Pantanal 

6. Agriculture drives water use

Irrigation for crops uses 70% of the world’s freshwater, but inefficient practices often result in water wastage, pollution, and soil degradation. Unsustainable water allocations can further reduce water availability, affecting people and ecosystems. By adopting sustainable agriculture practices, including a water stewardship approach, and supporting fair water allocation policies, farmers can lower their environmental impact while maintaining productivity. These efforts will be most effective if water governing bodies ensure agricultural water use does not compromise availability for other users, including the environment—an essential priority in regions like the Rio Grande and Indus River basins.

7. Big cities, big impact:

Urban centers support dense populations and manufacturing hubs that require immense amounts of water and energy. While these cities might seem flush with water resources, the concentration of people and industry often strains resources, especially groundwater resources. They’re also increasingly vulnerable to effects of climate change. In Vietnam, Cambodia, India, Pakistan, Turkey, US and Mexico, WWF works with public & private sector partners along with civil society and communities to improve water sustainability in urban centers and supply chains. By adopting energy and water stewardship practices in industry clusters and investing in nature-based solutions to recharge groundwater, reduce vulnerability to storm impacts and saltwater intrusion, urban centers can help ensure precious water resources remain plentiful.

8. There Is hope through collective action

While the challenges are significant, solutions are within reach. Across WWF’s range of projects, from the Rio Grande to the Pantanal and the Indus, partnerships with governments, businesses, and local communities are proving that sustainable water management is possible. These efforts not only address immediate needs but also build resilience for future generations.

Taking action for freshwater

Water scarcity is a global challenge, but it’s one we can tackle together. By optimizing available water, supporting water resilient farming, restoring degraded ecosystems, and advocating for policies that prioritize sustainable water use, we can ensure this precious resource remains available for all life on Earth.