LibGuides: Freshwater Ecology: Topics to Consider

World Water Day

Why a World Water Day?

World Water Day is an international observance and an opportunity to learn more about water related issues, be inspired to tell others and take action to make a difference. World Water Day dates back to the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development where an international observance for water was recommended. The United Nations General Assembly responded by designating 22 March 1993 as the first World Water Day. It has been held annually since then. Each year, UN-Water — the entity that coordinates the UN’s work on water and sanitation — sets a theme for World Water Day corresponding to a current or future challenge. The engagement campaign is coordinated by one or several of the UN-Water Members with a related mandate.

Water Statistics

The Global Water Partnership The Global Water Partnership's vision is for a water secure world. Its mission is to support the sustainable development and management of water resources at all levels.
Facts about Water and Sanitation We are Water.org. We're here to bring water and sanitation to the world. We want to make it safe, accessible and cost effective because we believe that water is the way to empowering a better life that we can all share in, worldwide. We are an international nonprofit organization that has positively transformed more than five million lives around the world through access to safe water and sanitation. Founded by Gary White and Matt Damon, we have been pioneering market-driven financial solutions to the global water crisis for 25 years, giving women hope, children health and communities a future.
Global Water Outlook to 2025 From the International Food Policy Institute, "this report shows that if current water policies continue, farmers will indeed find it difficult to meet the world’s food needs. Hardest hit will be the world’s poorest people. The results from the model used in this report also show the consequences of changing the course of water policy. Further inattention to water-related investments and policies will produce a severe water crisis, which will lead in turn to a food crisis. A commitment to sustainable use of water, through appropriate policies and investments, however, will lead to a more water- and food-secure world. Water may be a scarce resource, but humans have developed many ways of using it more efficiently — that is, getting more from each unit of water. But water-saving policies, practices, and technologies are of no help if they are not used. Inappropriate incentives and institutions often hinder effective use of water. This report spells out the future results of our current choices." -- Authors' Introduction
Water Use in the U.S. The U.S. Geological Survey's National Water-Use Information program is responsible for compiling and disseminating the nation's water-use data. The USGS works in cooperation with local, State, and Federal environmental agencies to collect water-use information. USGS compiles these data to produce water-use information aggregated at the county, state, and national levels. Every five years, data at the county level are compiled into a national water-use data system and state-level data are published in a national circular. Over the history of these circulars, the water-use categories have had some changes. The USGS Water-Use Data and Research program seeks to develop improved water-use data through agreements with State water-resources agencies.

Possible Topics for Research on Freshwater Ecology

Bodies of Freshwater

Rivers
Streams
Creeks
Mineral Springs
Natural Springs
Ponds
Wetlands

Topics

Abandoned Mine Drainage
Acequia/Irrigation Systems
Aquifer depletion
Dam construction
Drinking water
Drought
Freshwater Fish
Freshwater Habitats
Freshwater Organisms
Septic Systems
Sinkholes
Storm Water Runoff
Waste Water
Water Conservation
Water Table
Well Water

Water Issues in the News

The Aral Sea (BBC - "Waiting for the Sea")
Dakota Access Pipeline (See Democracy Now , Dakota Access Pipeline/Energy Transfer and 5 Things to Know about the Dakota Access Pipeline
Farmers in India Compete with Coca-Cola Plants for Scarce Water (PBS Newshour)
Global Water Crisis (The Water Project)
Water Crisis in China (World Economic Forum)

Freshwater Ecology: Topics to Consider

World Water Day

Why a World Water Day?

Water Statistics

Possible Topics for Research on Freshwater Ecology

Waterscape