Many people may not know that access to fresh water around the globe can have big impacts here in the US. This week, WWF released a new book entitled Water, Security and U.S. Foreign Policy, exploring how access to water affects US national security and prosperity and how the US can respond effectively. We sat down with two WWF experts to provide some background on this link between fresh water and national security.

Since 2011, photographer Mustafah Abdulaziz has travelled to eight countries capturing images for his long-term photographic project highlighting the global water crisis. Collectively, the photographs chart the diverse and far reaching effects of urbanization, poor sanitation, pollution, water scarcity, and the side effects of expanding industry and population.

The global demand for fresh water is projected to exceed current supply by more than 40% by 2030. People from many sectors of society are recognizing the need to find solutions.

Many freshwater species depend on free-flowing rivers to complete their life cycles, and in some systems, those species make up critical parts of people’s diets. Here’s a look at five important species impacted by dams.

WWF and partners are working to restore a section of the Rio Grande/Bravo along the US-Mexico border. The river’s water is already 150% over-allocated and the onset of climate change has led to serious drought.

About 70% of the Earth’s surface is covered in water. Though it seems abundant, just 1% of world’s water is fresh (not salty) and available (not frozen). And that mighty 1% is under threat.

But we all can do something to help fresh water.

Understanding the hidden environmental costs of cotton

Can young people change the world? Madison Higbee and siblings Tyler, Wesley, and Nathan Newman of Canton, Georgia think so.

Businesses, governments, NGOs and civil society must come together and make tough decisions and investments that will ensure plenty of water for all.