• WaterHeroes

    For any movements or actions, there are passionate and dedicated people (each in their own way) behind it who made it possible. We want to make our #WaterHeroes known by profiling their inspiring water journey. #WaterHeroes are committed to make a real impact for water and ensure to leave a legacy for the next generation. We select water leaders based on their actions to raise awareness and reach out to an audience beyond the water bubble.

    #Celebrate #ActorsofChange #Inspiring #Educate #Activator, Initiator #Lifestyle #genuine honesty that evokes emotion and inspiration

  • Keepers of the Waterscape

    Conservation & Restoration

    Oceanographer, Mission Blue - Marine biologist @SylviaEarle has spent more than four decades at the forefront of ocean exploration -- and at age 83, she shows no signs of slowing down. Earle was the first female chief scientist of the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and was named Time magazine’s 1998 "Hero of the Planet.” Under Dr. Earle’s leadership, the @MissionBlue team implements communications campaigns that elevate Hope Spots to the world stage through documentaries, (social) media and innovative tools. Mission Blue has launched nearly 100 #HopeSpots in all four corners of the globe. The Hope Spots campaign reaches 500 million people online each year. “We are blessed with an Ocean. The Ocean keeps us safe” – Sylvia Earle.

    Sylvia Earle

    #Ocean conservation #biodiversity #marine scientist

    Waterman of India, Rejuvenating Rivers and Quenching Thirst - Rajendra Singh is an Indian water conservationist and environmentalist from Alwar district, Rajasthan in India. Also known as "waterman of India", he won the Magsaysay Award in 2001 and Stockholm Water Prize in 2015. He runs an NGO called 'Tarun Bharat Sangh', which was founded in 1975. #StockholmWaterPrize

    Rajendra Singh

    #Water scarcity # river restoration, #Asia #activist

    Eco-Hero. River Detective, Ashoka Fellow. Goldman Environmental Prize - Prigi Arisandi is an environmental activist who loves being called River Defender. @prigi.arisandi initiated a local movement to stop industrial pollution from flowing into Surabaya’s river that provides drinking water to 3 million people. Indonesia’s rivers are becoming more and more polluted with industrial waste, but most Indonesians are unaware of this destruction to their environment. Prigi trains children and adults to become amateur “environmental detectives,” conducting their own scientific research and publicizing it in the media.

    Prigi Arisandi

    #River conservation #water pollution #Southeast Asia #activist

    Explorer. Pedder Dreaming and a Lost Tasmanian wilderness. - One of Tasmania’s early wilderness explorers, Olegas (1923 - 1972) would undertake numerous solo kayaking expeditions into Tasmania’s wild and remote south-west. In later life, Olegas would become a staunch conservationist and leading advocate for the protection of Lake Pedder. Olegas was one of the first Europeans to explore deep into Tasmania’s South-West region. His solo journeys and the stories and photos from these explorations have become part of Tasmanian folk history. In 1972, the pristine Lake Pedder in Tasmania's untamed south-west was flooded to build a dam. Wilderness photographer Olegas , who had spent years campaigning passionately to save the magnificent freshwater lake, had lost his battle. But the campaign, the first of its kind in Australia, paved the way for later conservation successes, and turned Olegas into a Tasmanian legend.

    Olegas Truchanas

    #River conservation #photography #nature advocate

    Freediver, ocean conservationist, Founder #IamWater #OceanGuardians - Hanli Prinsloo is a South African freediver, speaker, writer and ocean conservationist. She is the founder and executive director of I Am Water, an ocean conservation trust dedicated to conserving and protecting the world's oceans through human experience. During her competitive years as a freediver, she broke eleven South African free diving records and was the first South African to hold all six free diving records simultaneously.

    Hanli Prinsloo

    #Water conservation #biodiversity #Africa

    Marine conservationist and shark enthusiast - "Sharks are a part of the web of life,". "Valerie Taylor has seen the return of sharks over 12 years bring a dead reef back to life." Taylor, now 83 years old, still dives frequently, writes letters and speaks on protecting coastal and international waters as sanctuaries and keeping plastics out of the ocean. "I'm not speaking of something I've read or seen on the computer," she added. "I'm speaking from something I know and that I've seen. My own experience. And I know that gets across." Over the course of her career, her efforts have inspired the next generation of conservationists to work to make the oceans cleaner and healthier.

    Valerie Taylor

    #Ocean conservation #shark protection

    Grassroots leader, founder of dance4life, justdiggit & the raindance project - Dennis brings the work of Peter Westerveld into the market: the fight against desertification. With Justdiggit he makes whole desertified areas green and fertile again and in this way he tries to fight the water shortage in Asia and Africa. Karpes was appointed in 2008 by the World Economic Forum as a Young Global Leader (YGL). YGL’s are younger than 40 years old at the time of nomination, have a recognized record of extraordinary achievement and a proven track record of sustainable leadership experience, have demonstrated a commitment to serve society at large through exceptional contributions, and have a global perspective. Music unites, inspires and brings people together. Since there is no movement without rhythm, Justdiggit Foundation introduces The Raindance Project 2020-2030. "he who brings rain, brings life" - African Proverb -

    Dennis Karpes

    #Water scarcity #clean water access #global campaigns

    Wild Bird Trust, NGOWP, House of Pod - these river guardians have a monumental task: safeguard a remote, near pristine environment facing threats from all sides. Learn what happens when worlds connect, and at times collide, with the common goal of protecting a place.

    Guardians of the Okavango water system

    #RiverBasinProtection #Africa

    Partner Mystic River Watershed Association - Mystic River Watershed Association protects and restores the Mystic River, its tributaries and watershed lands. The Mystic Greenways Initiative will connect 25 miles of paths, improve hundreds of acres of parkland and engage thousands of community members from the Mystic Lakes to the Boston Harbor.

    Julie Wormser

    #UrbanResilience #WetlandRestoration #USA

    Researcher-activist, member of Kalpvriksh, advisor at Inner Climate Academy, and executive committee member of Rights of Nature. - The River Sings. Her research focuses on documenting, researching, and networking on radical alternatives to dominant systems with specific focus on exploring indigenous, traditional, and customary ways of living, decision-making and their underlying worldviews.

    Shrishtee Bajpai

    #Indigenous worldviews #Radical alternatives #India

    Sawfish Detective - investigation work along with Dr Ruth Leeney, empowering and inspiring these women to give these weird and wonderful creatures a chance of survival. With more conscious fishermen sawfishes have a greater chance of survival. And it’s proof that in a male-dominated industry, a network of women supporting each other is vital.

    Alifa Haque

    #MarineConservation #BottomUpConservation #Bangladesh

    Executive Director at Lokiaka Community - She grew up in the Niger Delta in Nigeria as a member of the indigenous farming and fishing community of Yaataah. For decades, her families lived in constant contact with the waterways. Unfortunately, things have changed. Since the commencement of fossil fuel extraction. Nigerian Activist Martha is now Trying To Sell Plants To The Oil Company That Destroyed them. She is showing the leadership of women and girls from local and indigenous communities in the protection and sustainable use of water resources, and calling for support for gender-just climate solutions. Development Centre -

    Martha Agbani

    #MangroveRestoration #CommunityLeadership #WomenEmpowerment #Nigeria

    Deer Clan Chief of the Ramapough-Lenape - A Water Protector who is working tirelessly to stop the Pilgrim pipeline from being built in New Jersey and New York through Ramapough land and sacred sites. She considers herself a “Spiritual Ecologist” as she prays for the balance of Spirit and the natural world. Sing the Water Song is an inspiring message and plea for women everywhere to become Keepers of the Water so as to express gratitude for and bring attention to our endangered waters.

    Grandmother Clara Soaring Hawk

    #ProtectingSacredLand #SpiritualEcologist #Indigenous

    French environmental activist, of Moroccan origin (PL Seasheperd) - She's the co-founder and president of Sea Shepherd France, the French branch of the anti-poaching organisation Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. She is also co-director of Sea Shepherd Global and co-president of the non-governmental organisation Rewild. She led var­i­ous Sea Shep­herd cam­paigns all over the world to fight for marine life.

    Lamya Essem­lali

    #OceanProtection #MarineConservation #Activism #France

    Dr. Tetsu Nakamura was a Japanese physician and humanitarian who transformed drylands into fertile landscapes by restoring river systems and building irrigation canals in Afghanistan. Recognizing that water security is essential for public health and peace, he shifted from medical aid to large-scale water projects, helping to revive agriculture and stabilize communities affected by drought and conflict. His lifelong dedication to water-driven development brought hope and self-sufficiency to thousands, proving that restoring water systems can heal both people and the land.

    Dr. Tetsu nakamura

    #RestoringAridLand #WaterforPeace #Afghanistan

    Goldman Environmental Prize Awardee - Michal Kravčík is a Slovak hydrologist and environmentalist who champions nature-based solutions to restore water cycles and combat desertification. He developed the "New Water Paradigm," advocating for decentralized, small-scale water retention systems that enhance soil moisture, biodiversity, and climate resilience. His work has demonstrated how restoring natural water systems can prevent floods, mitigate droughts, and rejuvenate landscapes, making him a global advocate for sustainable water management and climate adaptation.

    Michal Kravčík

    #WaterRetention #SustainableLandManagement #EcosystemRestoration #Slovakia

    Founders association AFR'eau - True aspirational, ambitious and authentic young leaders who deliver action-based interventions, training for young professionals and applied research in water management that supports thriving communities in West Africa. #SlashCareer #IWA & Grundfos Fellow

    Eleanor Treadwell & Hadi Toure Guindo

    #Valuing Water #Capacity Building #West Africa

    Sekhar Raghavan, also known as "The Rain Man of Chennai," is a pioneering water conservationist who has revived and mainstreamed rainwater harvesting (RWH) in Chennai, India. Through his organization, the Rain Centre, he has tirelessly promoted decentralized water management, empowering communities to recharge groundwater, restore traditional water bodies, and enhance urban water resilience. His grassroots advocacy led to Chennai becoming one of the first Indian cities to mandate rainwater harvesting, proving that local action can drive large-scale water conservation and urban sustainability.

    Sekhar Raghavan

    #RainwaterHarvesting #CommunityConservation #Chennai

    Dr. Indira Khurana is a passionate advocate for water security, equity, and community-driven conservation in India. She has played a key role in promoting groundwater recharge, rainwater harvesting, and decentralized water management, ensuring that marginalized communities gain access to safe and sustainable water sources. Through her research and activism, she has highlighted the critical link between water, livelihoods, and social justice, proving that empowering local communities is essential for lasting water sustainability.

    Indira Khurana

    #WaterEquity #Gender #CommunityLedConservation #India

    Posidonia seagrass, often called the "lungs of the Mediterranean," is one of the most vital marine ecosystems on Earth. These ancient underwater meadows play a crucial role in carbon sequestration (blue carbon), coastal protection, and marine biodiversity, offering a habitat for countless species. Despite covering less than 0.2% of the ocean floor, seagrass meadows, including Posidonia, account for approximately 10-18% of the total oceanic carbon burial. They can store up to 83,000 metric tons of carbon per square kilometer—up to 35 times more efficiently than tropical rainforests. In addition to their climate benefits, Posidonia seagrass meadows help filter water, stabilize shorelines, and protect coastal communities from erosion and storms. However, they face severe threats from coastal development, pollution, and climate change. Conservation efforts are crucial to preserving these underwater forests, ensuring ocean resilience, and safeguarding their role in fighting climate change.

    Posidonia Seagrass

    #OceanGuardian #BlueCarbon #CoastalResilience #MarineBiodiversity #SeagrassMeadows #MediterraneanSea

    Dr. Fernando Trujillo is a leading freshwater conservationist dedicated to protecting the Amazon River dolphin (Pink Dolphin) and its fragile ecosystem. As the Scientific Director of the Omacha Foundation, he has spent decades researching and advocating for river conservation, sustainable fisheries, and the protection of endangered freshwater species. His work highlights the critical threats facing river dolphins, including pollution, habitat destruction, and illegal fishing, while promoting science-based conservation strategies. Through his efforts, he has raised global awareness of the importance of healthy river systems for both biodiversity and local communities, proving that saving river dolphins means saving entire ecosystems.

    Fernando Trujillo

    #RiverDolphins #AmazonConservation #FreshwaterBiodiversity #WildlifeProtection #Colombia

    Constantino Aucca Chutas is a Peruvian biologist and conservationist who has dedicated his life to the restoration of Andean forests, with a particular focus on securing vital water resources for local communities. As the founder of Asociación Ecosistemas Andinos (ECOAN) and co-founder of Acción Andina, he has led efforts to plant nearly 10 million native trees across the Andes, which play a crucial role in maintaining the water cycle and ensuring the availability of clean water in the region. His work combines ancient Incan knowledge with modern conservation techniques, creating sustainable practices for water conservation in a rapidly changing climate. By engaging over 25,000 Indigenous families, Aucca's initiatives promote not only climate resilience but also a deeper connection to water and land stewardship, restoring the ecosystems that are vital for both human and environmental health. His impact has been recognized globally, earning him accolades such as the 2022 United Nations' Champions of the Earth Award and the 2023 Rolex Award for Enterprise.

    Constantino Aucca Chutas

    #AndeanReforestation #IndigenousKnowledge #ClimateAction #WaterConservation #Peru #AcciónAndina

  • Visionaries of the Water World

    Research & Innovation

    Creator of Water footprint, open source scientist, Professor at University of Twente - Professor Hoekstra (1967-2019) invented the concept of the Water Footprint that introduced a complete novel thinking on the real water use that is needed to make our daily products. Providing lectures all over the world, he inspired many to strive for a more equal share of global freshwater resources. Arjen Hoekstra was one of the most cited researchers in his field in the world. He was a strong believer in open-source science and all his articles are freely accessible as they have been published under a Creative Common License. He developed various educational tools, including the River Basin Game and the Globalization of Water Role Play.

    Arjen Hoekstra

    #WaterFootprintNetwork #sustainable consumption #global

    Leading authority on water and environmental management - Asit K. Biswas, Distinguished Visiting Professor at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKYSPP) in Singapore and co-founder of the Third World Center for Water Management. Among his numerous awards are Crystal Drop and Millennium Prizes, and the Stockholm Water Prize. He is the founder of the International Journal of Water Resources Development. He has authored or edited 84 books and has published more than 650 scientific and technical papers. His work has been translated into 38 languages, and he is a regular contributor to (inter)national newspapers and is also is a television commentator.

    Prof. Asit K. Biswas

    #GlobalWaterSecurity #PolicyResearch #Global

    Pioneer of the eco-machine - John Todd, the pioneer of the eco machine, revolutionized wastewater treatment by developing an ecological technology that mimics natural processes. His work showcases the potential for sustainable solutions in environmental challenges. Todd is not only an inventor but also a dedicated advocate for ecological restoration and conservation. Through research, publications, and lectures, he inspires others to embrace nature-based approaches for a more sustainable future. Todd's legacy is a testament to the power of innovative thinking and the harmony between human activities and nature.

    John Todd

    #EcologicalDesign #WaterRehabilitation #NorthAmerica

    Cecilia Tortajada has been an advisor to major international institutions like FAO, UNDP, JICA, ADB, OECD, IDRC and GIZ, and has worked in numerous countries in Africa, Asia, North and South America and Europe on water and natural resources management and environment policies. She is a member of the OECD Initiative on Water Governance. Winner of the prestigious Crystal Drop Award of the International Water Resources Association.

    Cecilia Tortajada

    #WaterPolicy #GlobalGovernance #Global

    CEO of Nijhuis Saur Industries-Inspiring entrepreneur with a Masters degree in Naval Architecture & Marine Technology at Delft University of Technology who is dedicated to grow water technology companies, focusing on the water- energy- waste & food nexus. Currently he drives #MissionWater for Nijhuis Saur Industries in over 140 countries to support partners to secure them water on demand, comply with ‘reduce, remove, reuse and recover, reduce their environmental footprint, lower the life-cycle cost, contribute to the circular economy and a more resilient future by closing the waterloop.

    Menno Holterman

    #CircularWater #IndustrialReuse #Netherlands

    Dr DeepSea - Project Neptune combines a long-term study of the physiological and psychological effects of compression on the human body and use the uniqueness of the mission and location to bring more awareness of current marine research and the importance of conservation of our ocean’s resources and processes.

    Joseph Dituri

    #UnderwaterResearch #OceanHealth #Global

    Waterprofessor, Hydrologist for #Waternet #SchoonWater 💙 #AmsterdamCitySwim - Curious, Passionate and Multi-talented WaterCycle expert. A geohydrochemist working as an asset manager, connecting system analyses to investments, for the regional public water authority Amstel, Gooi and Vecht in the greater Amsterdam area in the low-lying Western part of the Netherlands. We can only survive if we learn from our past. Our living environment is our capital. It brings us further, but only if we choose what to maintain wisely. "We have to invest in our current living environment rather than on economic opportunities that will put our living environment under further stress".

    Maarten Ouboter

    #UrbanWater #SustainableSolutions #Netherlands

    John Snow, a pioneering physician in the 19th century, is considered the father of modern epidemiology for his groundbreaking discovery that cholera spreads through contaminated water, not miasma (bad air), as was commonly believed. During the 1854 cholera outbreak in London, he meticulously mapped cases and traced the source to a contaminated Broad Street water pump, leading to its removal and saving countless lives. His work laid the foundation for modern water sanitation, public health policies, and clean drinking water initiatives, proving that access to safe water is essential for human health.

    John Snow

    #WaterborneDiseases #PublicHealth #Epidemiology #Sanitation #UK

    Samuel Sarphati was a visionary 19th-century Dutch physician and entrepreneur who revolutionized urban sanitation and public health in Amsterdam. Recognizing the link between waste management, water quality, and disease, he established an innovative system for collecting human waste and repurposing it as fertilizer for agriculture—an early example of the circular economy. His work improved hygiene, reduced disease outbreaks, and laid the foundation for modern sanitation infrastructure, proving that public health begins with clean water and sustainable waste management.

    Samuel Sarphati

    #UrbanSanitation #PublicHealth #CircularEconomy #Amsterdam #19thCentury

    Dr. Peter Gleick is a leading scientist, author, and global expert on water resources, climate change, and sustainability. As the co-founder of the Pacific Institute, he has pioneered research on the human right to water, the impacts of climate change on water systems, and innovative solutions for sustainable water management. His groundbreaking work on the "soft path for water" promotes efficiency, conservation, and decentralized systems to address the world’s growing water challenges. A true water visionary, Gleick’s research and advocacy continue to shape international water policies and inspire action toward a more equitable and resilient water future.

    Peter Gleick

    #WaterSecurity #HumanRightsWater #GlobalWaterPolicy #USA

    David Butler is an innovator in sustainable water management, known for designing eco-friendly swimming pools that minimize water waste and chemical use. His natural filtration systems harness biological processes and plant-based purification to create pools that are both environmentally friendly and self-sustaining. His work exemplifies how innovation and nature-based solutions can reduce our ecological footprint while maintaining access to clean and healthy water for recreation.

    David Pagan Butler

    #EcoFriendlyPools #SustainableWaterUse #NatureBasedSolutions #WaterRecycling #UK

    Michael Shaw is an ecological engineer and co-founders of Biomatrix Water Solutions Ltd, specializing in innovative approaches to waterway restoration. His work focuses on integrating ecological engineering with community engagement to transform polluted waterways into vibrant ecosystems. Collaborating with communities such as Auroville in India and the Findhorn Community in Scotland, he has implemented projects that combine art, nature, and engineering to address environmental challenges. Notably, Michael has been involved in deploying Biomatrix Floating Islands, which utilize indigenous plants and dynamic media to promote beneficial biofilms, effectively treating polluted water bodies. His efforts exemplify the power of ecological design in fostering environmental restoration and community involvement.

    Michael Shaw

    #SustainableWaterUse #NatureBasedSolutions #WaterRecycling #Findhorn #Auroville

  • Voices of Water

    Advocacy & Awareness

    Drinkable Rivers, Watershed Mobilizer, Nomadic School - She dreams of Drinkable Rivers as indicators of healthy living. She mobilizes people for water and whole healthy and thriving ecosystems. During the summer of 2018, she walked 1061km from the source of the River Meuse to the North-sea for Drinkable Rivers (Documentary: Drinkable Meuse). Li An Phoa is a university teacher (ecology, business, philosophy) at the Nyenrode Business School and at the Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University (taught outdoor master electives 'Sustainability Grand Challenges: Polluted Rivers'). She shares her vision on ecology and economy with her nomadic school, Spring College.

    Li An Phoa

    #Drinkable rivers #water pollution #activist #Europe

    Writer, environmentalist, Founder Wild Swimming Movement - Roger (1943 – 2006) was an English writer, documentary-maker and environmentalist. He was a co-founder and trustee of Common Ground, the arts, culture and environment organisation. Waterlog, the only book he published in his lifetime, topped the UK bestseller charts and founded the wild swimming movement.

    Roger Stuart Deakin

    #Swimmable rivers #nature conservation #writer #UK

    Emerging Explorer, Ocean Advocate - A National Geographic "emerging explorer," filmmaker, and globally recognized advocate on water issues, Alexandra Cousteau continues the work of her renowned grandfather Jacques-Yves Cousteau and her father Philippe Cousteau Sr. She has mastered the remarkable storytelling tradition handed down to her and has the unique ability to inspire audiences on the weighty issues of policy, politics, and action. Her global initiatives seek to inspire and empower individuals to protect not only the ocean and its inhabitants, but also the human communities that rely on freshwater resources.

    Alexandra Cousteau

    #Ocean conservation #biodiversity #filmmaker #advocate

    Patagonia founder - Yvon Chouinard has witnessed a lot during his eighty years as a rebellious and reluctant businessman; building a formidable Patagonia brand whilst spearheading environmental resistance, Chouinard has always thread his own line. More interested in climbing rocks than corporate ladders, Chouinard conquered bankruptcy by being true to himself. By digging into experience he enabled unorthodox strategies and fresh perspectives, to resist and to counter where others may have crumbled. His company, Patagonia, is known for its environmental focus. Chouinard is also a surfer, kayaker, and falconer and is particularly fond of tenkara fly-fishing. He has written about climbing issues and ethics and on mixing environmentalism and business.

    Yvon Chouinard

    #Conservation #corporate responsibility #ActionWorks

    Sailor. Ellen MacArthur Foundation - Water &Circular Economy - Dame Ellen MacArthur made yachting history in 2005, when she became the fastest solo sailor to circumnavigate the globe, and remains the UK’s most successful offshore racer ever. She is a founder of the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust, set up in 2003, a charity which takes young people aged between 8-24 sailing to help them regain their confidence on their way to recovery from cancer, leukaemia, and other serious illnesses. Having become acutely aware of the finite nature of the resources our linear economy relies upon,@ellenmacarthur stepped away from professional sailing in 2009 to launch the Ellen MacArthur Foundation following four years traveling the world and researching the challenges facing our current global economy.

    Ellen MacArthur

    #Circular economy #plastic pollution #global campaigns

    Environmental activist, School Strike for the Climate, 2019 Time Person of the Year. - Greta Tintin Eleonora Ernman Thunberg (born 3 January 2003) is a Swedish environmental activist on climate change whose campaigning has gained international recognition. @GretaThunberg is known for her straightforward speaking manner, both in public and to political leaders and assemblies, in which she urges immediate action to address what she describes as the climate crisis. #fridaysforfuture #climatestrike

    Greta Thunberg

    #Climate change #water resilience #youth activism

    International photojournalist, co-founder of NOOR, Rising Sea Levels -@mediakadir has covered conflicts in Africa and elsewhere, but is probably best known for his long-term projects on the seven rivers of the world, the rising of sea levels, the diamond industry and migration in the Americas. He started to work as a professional freelance photojournalist in 1988 covering the Intifada. "For the past year and a half, I have been looking at the global consequences of rising sea levels caused by climate change. Today, no one any longer doubts that glaciers the world over are retreating, and even more worryingly that Greenland and Antarctica are melting at an increasing pace."

    Kadir van Lohuizen

    #Climate adaptation #water photography #global campaigns

    Trash Hero Myanmar, Yangon Sailing Club - Yangon has a trash problem. The world, in fact, has a trash problem. Sportsman Phone Kyaw Moe Myint started cleaning up lakes and the beaches due to his love for the sport of sailing. He makes a powerful, passionate and informative call on how all of us can become responsible global citizens and do our part in protecting the environment. Phone Kyaw Moe Myint has a great passion for the water and water sports. In 2016, he became the founder and country coordinator of Trash Hero Myanmar. The goal of Trash Hero is to clean, educate and change people's behaviour and mindset of trash disposal by turning everyday volunteers to become heroes and be a part of regular clean-up operation within the country.

    Phone Kyaw Moe Myint

    #Clean water access #Southeast Asia

    Data Eco Warrior. Genius. Blue Map App. Environmentalist. Founder IPE - broken image Ma Jun Data Eco Warrior. Genius. Blue Map App. Environmentalist. Founder IPE Ma Jun has encouraged the government to disclose environmental information—and gave people access to it. Ma is a renowned environmentalist who is igniting critical conversations—and change—across China, Ma Jun is a director at one of China’s most dynamic environmental NGOs, the Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs. This influential organization developed the first public database of water pollution information in China and brought together a coalition of Chinese NGOs to promote a global green supply chain by pushing large corporations to focus on the environmental performance of their suppliers. His 1999 book, “China’s Water Crisis,” was China’s first major book on the subject of that nation’s environmental issues. In 2006, Time magazine named him as one of the 100 most influential people in the world. “We’re carrying the water for the world, and the Yangtze river is not in good shape”.

    Ma Jun

    #WaterPollution #EnvironmentalTransparency #China

    Plastic Soup Surfer, Visual Artist, Full-time plastic activist - Merijn Tinga, better known as The Plastic Soup Surfer, is on a mission. He wants to stop the increasing plastic pollution. The surfboards are his weapons for they tell a story everyone can relate to and are the means to get the message across. He just paddled down the Rhine river from its source in Switzerland all the way to the North sea. During the exhausting 1200km ‘From source to sea’ journey, he faces many challenges as he searches for the real sources of plastic litter.

    Merijn Tinga

    #PlasticPollution #OceanAdvocacy #Europe

    Children's author of One Home - Connecting With Nature as a gateway to Intimacy with our creator; her books include The Little War Cat, Inspiring Inventors and One Home. One Home takes you on a glorious journey across the globe to meet eighteen inspiring young activists who are taking a stand against climate change, and find out how you can help protect our beautiful earth. Her books have been listed for national awards and translated into Swedish, Korean, Turkish, Breton and counting. She secretly wants to be an explorer, and is happiest surrounded by nature, especially near the ocean.

    Hiba Noor Khan

    #YouthEmpowerment #Author #WaterJustice

    Filmmaker, Founder Surf Girls Jamaica - Born and raised on the wave washed shores of Eight Mile, Bull Bay in St. Andrew, Jamaica, Imani Wilmot was a natural water baby. It was an instant connection that has shaped her life so significantly that she dedicated herself to motivating and empowering girls of all ages to try surfing. Imani is a world-renowned athlete and international role model and uses surfing as a means of transforming the tough lives of women in Jamaica. The surfboard has always been a powerful tool for Imani Wilmot. Through surfing, she’s created a safe haven for women in her community to escape abuse and sexual assault.

    Imani Wilmot

    #YouthEmpowerment #Jamaica #Surfing

    Freediver, opens up the ocean to ‘black mermaids' - Working to create a diverse representation in ocean spaces. Her work centers around enabling access to the ocean to underprivileged communities in South Africa, in the hope to diversify oceans spaces both recreationally as well as professionally, while creating a new generation of ocean guardians.

    Zandile Ndhlovu

    #DivingInclusivity #OceanAwareness #SouthAfrica

    a Ghanaian activist and agribusiness entrepreneur - She has achieved a remarkable milestone by becoming the first person to swim across the Volta River, spanning a distance of approximately 450 kilometres, from Buipe to Ada. Yvette’s courageous swim was driven by her strong determination to raise awareness about the escalating water pollution issues plaguing Ghana. As a passionate activist hailing from the Dangme community, she took on the challenging task of swimming through the lengthy Volta River to shed light on the deteriorating state of water quality in the country. Her unique initiative not only raises awareness about textile waste but also brings attention to the urgent need for environmental conservation and sustainable practices. Yvette’s pioneering efforts and groundbreaking firsts serve as an inspiration for future endeavour aimed at safeguarding Ghana’s natural resources and fostering a cleaner, healthier environment for all.

    Yvette Tetteh

    #SwimmingActivism #WaterJustice #Ghana

    Riding the Waves, Do Book author -James Otter is a TEDx speaker, and founder of Otter Surfboards: a family-owned workshop nestled in a small village in Cornwall, handcrafting custom wooden surfboards since 2008. James wants to get people out of their heads and making things with their hands.

    James Otter

    #WoodenSurfboards #SustainableCraft #UK

    (CEO Oceana UK)(#WeBeWhatWeSea) - He is part of the Edinburgh University Ocean Leaders programme and was recently awarded a Doctorate of Science by Exeter University for his services to the marine environment. He was recognised as Environmentalist of the Year 2021 by the Save the Waves coalition. He previously led the ocean campaigning charity Surfers Against Sewage, taking action from the beach front to the front benches of Parliament, securing government legislation to protect our seas across four environmental pillars – plastic pollution, water quality, climate change and rewilding our ocean. He is also a founding member of the Global Wave Conference.

    Hugo Tagholm

    #OceanConservation #PolicyAdvocacy #UK

    River advocates and paddlers - After two decades of drought, the Colorado River, which supplies water for drinking, power, and agriculture to over 40 million people, was named America’s most endangered river. In 2018, river advocates and paddlers Mike and Jenny Fiebig spent five months paddling the Colorado from its source in the Wind River mountains to the Gulf of Mexico to understand the river’s challenges firsthand – while collecting stories about change from the people who depend on it most (The Dirtbag Diaries: Colorado River).

    Mike and Jenny Fiebig

    #SourcetoSea #Storytelling #ColoradoRiver

    Team Surfers not Streetchildren - Pioneering work developing surfing as a tool for bringing about positive change. Not only are they working in the toughest environments and saving lives, but our surfers are at the heart of an exciting transformation in African surfing underway across the continent. Fusing surfing with social development.

    Sandile Mqadi, Mini Cho, Slie Ngema, Tom Hewitt

    #Surfing #YouthMentorship #Africa

    Team Surfers not Streetchildren - Pioneering work developing surfing as a tool for bringing about positive change. Not only are they working in the toughest environments and saving lives, but our surfers are at the heart of an exciting transformation in African surfing underway across the continent. Fusing surfing with social development.

    Sandile Mqadi, Mini Cho, Slie Ngema, Tom Hewitt

    #Surfing #YouthMentorship #Africa

    Host of Finding Water Podcast - IWA Emerging Leader - Passionate about data science, international collaborations and filtration technology for production of drinking water. Working as a Senior Mananger of Global Water and Climate Partnerships and Alliances at Grundfos.

    Ines Breda

    #WaterPodcast #Storytelling #Global

    Founding Partner Cathedrall, Former Captain Plastic Whale #doism - Impact entrepreneur who is a living example of doism. He co-founded Plastic Whale in Amsterdam, to clean-up plastic waste from the canals and to re-use the plastic and produce circular boats and furniture. Now he is sailing onto a new adventure building a floating Cathredall in Amsterdam to engage more people in circular thinking. Cathedrall will be a multidisciplinary place where individuals, companies and government come together to accelerate the transition to a circular economy. This is done through education, lectures and exhibitions.

    Marius Smit

    #PlasticFree #Doism #CircularEconomy

    Martin Winiecki is a writer, activist, and advocate for regenerative culture, deeply engaged in promoting a holistic approach to water, ecology, and collective healing. As the storyteller behind the documentary Water is Love, he explains what water wants and how humans can facilitate its natural movement to restore ecosystems and ensure a thriving planet for all species. Through his work at Tamera Peace Research Center, he champions water retention landscapes, ecosystem restoration, and decentralized solutions to revive the Earth’s water cycles. His vision integrates activism, consciousness, and ecological responsibility, inspiring a movement toward water stewardship as a path to global regeneration and peace.

    Martin Winiecki

    #WaterConsciousness #EcoActivism #RegenerativeCulture #HealingWaters #WaterIsLove #Global

    Erica Gies is an independent journalist, National Geographic Explorer, and the author of Water Always Wins: Thriving in an Age of Drought and Deluge. She covers water, climate change, plants, and wildlife for publications such as Scientific American, The New York Times, bioGraphic, Nature, and others. Through her groundbreaking work, she introduces the concept of "Slow Water", advocating for nature-based solutions that allow water to follow its natural pathways, mitigating floods, replenishing groundwater, and restoring ecosystems. Her research and storytelling highlight how working with water, rather than controlling it, is key to long-term resilience, inspiring a shift toward sustainable water management worldwide.

    Erica Gies

    #SlowWater #WaterResilience #NatureBasedSolutions #ClimateAdaptation #Global

    Emily Coralyne Bishop is a water protector and environmental activist who played a key role in banning fracking in New York and California. She helped lead the Two Row Wampum Renewal Campaign, bringing Indigenous and ally paddlers down the Hudson River to honor historic treaties. Her work spans community organizing, environmental justice, and spiritual ecology, with deep involvement in Tamera, Portugal, studying water restoration and regenerative culture. Currently, she coordinates distribution for the documentary Water is Love: Ripples of Regeneration, inspiring action for global water healing.

    Emily Coralyne Bishop

    #WaterProtector #EnvironmentalActivist #CommunityOrganizer #SpiritualEcology #UnitedStates

    Matt Sykes is an Australian landscape architect and the co-founder and convenor of the Swimmable Cities Alliance, a global network dedicated to transforming urban waterways into safe, swimmable spaces. Through his leadership, cities worldwide are reimagining their relationship with water, promoting environmental stewardship and community engagement. His work emphasizes the importance of clean, accessible urban rivers and harbors, inspiring a movement towards healthier, more vibrant cityscapes.

    Matt Sykes

    #SwimmableCities #UrbanWaterways #EnvironmentalDesign #CommunityEngagement #Global

    Dr. Rebecca Olive is a researcher exploring how outdoor swimming shapes our relationships with places, fosters a sense of belonging, and deepens our care for aquatic ecologies. As an RMIT University Vice-Chancellor’s Senior Research Fellow, she examines how people engage with urban waters—oceans, estuaries, rivers, and pools—to promote community well-being and environmental stewardship. She leads Moving Oceans, a project investigating how recreational ocean users, from swimmers to surfers, experience and interact with marine environments. Through her work, she highlights the vital role of blue spaces in shaping cultural and ecological connections.

    Rebecca Olive

    #BlueSpaces #UrbanSwimming #EnvironmentalHumanities #CommunityEngagement #Australia

    Sharif Jamil is a leading river and environmental activist in Bangladesh, known for his relentless efforts to protect the Buriganga River and combat water pollution. As the Coordinator of Waterkeepers Bangladesh and the General Secretary of Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA), he has been instrumental in campaigning against industrial pollution, encroachment, and mismanagement of water resources. His activism has played a crucial role in raising awareness about the devastating impact of pollution on Bangladesh’s rivers and communities, pushing for stronger environmental regulations and accountability.

    Sharif Jamil

    #RiverActivist #WaterPollution #BurigangaRiver #Bangladesh #EnvironmentalJustice

    Jo Royle is a British environmentalist and the founder of Common Seas, dedicated to eliminating marine plastic pollution. As a former ocean racing skipper, she co-designed and led the Plastiki Expedition, sailing a 60-foot catamaran made from 12,000 plastic bottles across the Pacific to raise awareness about ocean plastic. Jo's work has also influenced the UK Blue Belt program, aimed at protecting the UK’s overseas marine environments. She continues to inspire global action through her expertise and dedication to safeguarding our oceans.

    Jo Royle

    #MarineConservation #PlasticPollution #OceanProtection #CommonSeas #BlueBelt #GlobalOceanLegacy

  • Shaping the Future of Water

    Governance

    Water Leader, First Prime Minister of Singapore - “Mr Lee Kuan Yew (LKY) (1923-2015) has left behind a great legacy. He was a visionary leader and the architect of the Singapore Water Story.” LKY’s legacy in helping the country achieve water sustainability is embodied in one of the water industry’s most treasured awards, the Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize. The Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKYSPP) - Institute of Water Policy (IWP) is improving water policy and governance in Asia. “every other policy has to bend at the knees for our water survival”.

    Lee Kuan Yew

    #Water scarcity #urban water management #policymaker #Asia

    Inspiring people with a passion for water and financial inclusion. Queen Maxima as participant of AmsterdamCitySwim and King Willem Alexander as passionate sport and water management expert. “…[Dutch tradition of public-private partnership] Innovation doesn’t always come from government offices, science labs and tech hubs. Just as often it comes from local communities, farmers, family businesses, hospitals, civil society and driven individuals. Government, the business sector, academia, and ordinary individuals are all working on solutions! The trick is to bring all these positive forces together”.

    Dutch Royal Couple

    #Water diplomacy #international collaboration

    1st Special Envoy for International Water Affairs, Rebuild by Design, Water as Leverage, Valuing Water - As the Ambassador for Water, @HenkOvink is responsible for advocating water awareness around the world, focusing on building institutional capacity and coalitions among governments, multilateral organizations, private sector and NGOs to address the world’s stressing needs on water and help initiate transformative interventions. Henk is also Principal for Rebuild by Design, the resilience innovation competition he developed and led for President Obama’s Hurricane Sandy Rebuilding Task Force where he was Senior Advisor to the Chair. “EVERYTHING is possible, with EVERYONE leaving no one behind”

    Henk Ovink

    #Water resilience #urban planning #climate adaptation #Global policymaker

    Trisector Athlete. Chairman Regional Water Authority Amsterdam - @gmvandentop is a true tri-sector athlete as his experience in the field of integrated water management spans over 25 years and includes extensive working experience in the private sector, civil society, the academe and government. He served as Managing Director of Vitens Evides International (VEI), an international partner utility in the field of urban services, and Executive Strategy Consultant for Shell Global Solutions, as well as executive roles at the WWF College for Conservation Leadership and World Wide Fund for Nature. He also held a University Lecturer position at Leiden University in the Netherlands. Gerhard is Chairman Regional Water Authority Amsterdam (#Dijkgraaf) and chairman of the new Expertise Network Water Safety.

    Gerhard van den Top

    #Water governance #urban water management #Europe

    Founding director of the UCL Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose - Firebrand Economist. Academic Advisor Communicator. Global Commission on Water Economics. She is making waves as an economist — and in the pool. "WATER must be THE issue to bring the planet together. Or we all FAIL". Her work challenges orthodox thinking about the role of the state and the private sector in driving innovation; how economic value is created, measured and shared; and how market-shaping policy can be designed in a ‘mission oriented way’ to solve the grand challenges facing humanity. When she’s not tackling the failings of modern capitalism, the Italian-American economist hits the swimming pool to unwind.

    Mariana Mazzucato

    #WaterEconomics #SustainableDevelopment #PolicyInnovation #Global

    Santha Sheela Nair is an influential Indian bureaucrat and water policy expert known for her pioneering work in rainwater harvesting and sustainable urban water management. As the former Commissioner of Chennai and Secretary of Water Resources for India, she played a key role in reviving traditional water bodies, implementing city-wide rainwater harvesting policies, and ensuring equitable access to water. Her visionary leadership transformed Chennai into a global model for decentralized water conservation, proving that good governance and community engagement can secure water resilience in urban areas.

    Santha Sheela Nair

    #WaterGovernance #RainwaterHarvesting #UrbanWaterManagement #India

  • Pioneers of the Blue Frontier

    Athletic Feats & Adventure

    CEO & Founder, Thirst - Young Global Leader. Ultra-marathon runner - Australian ultra-marathon runner Mina Guli wants everyone to know that the world is running out of freshwater. In order to do that she attempted a physical feat so extreme; most people would consider it impossible — running 100 marathons in 100 days across the world. Mina is driven by urgency: but when her body literally broke during marathon 62, Mina thought all was lost. Unexpectedly, the campaign took on a life of its own on social media across the globe.

    Mina Guli

    #Water scarcity #global campaigns #ultra-runner

    The Vortex Swim. Ocean Advocate.- One man on a mission to raise awareness of plastic pollution. Ocean advocate Ben Lecomte will swim 300 nautical miles – up to eight hours a day – through the smog of plastic pollution known as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, collecting scientific data and debunking the myths surrounding ocean plastic. The Vortex Swim: during this longest open water swim, we want to bring people with us. We want them to experience what we see, and to bring them in the water with us.

    Ben Lecomte

    #Ocean pollution #global awareness #endurance swimmer

    Women's record - 50 M swimming under the ice wearing only swimming suit - “There is no place for fear," says Finnish freediver @johannanordblad. "No place for panic. No place for mistakes. Under the ice, you need total control.” Arctic Free Diving Helped Save Her Leg. She holds the world record for a 50-meter dive under ice.

    Johanna Nordblad

    #Arctic waters #freediving #climate awareness #athlete

    Ocean advocate, swimmer, UN Patron of the Oceans - Lewis Pugh knows oceans. As an ocean advocate and a pioneer swimmer he’s been to the world’s most inaccessible places and he’s put his body through unimaginably difficult conditions. It taught him that finishing a job gives the power and the energy to go on to even bigger things. Lewis has swum in every ocean in the world. Plunging into the ocean near Antarctica, Lewis Pugh was determined to push the limits of human endurance.

    Lewis Pugh

    #Ocean conservation #polar regions #endurance swimmer

    Dutch Long Distance Swimmer, 11 cities swimmer, former cancer patient, Olympic gold -Dutchman swims epic ice-skating course threatened by climate change. Van der Weijden is a cancer survivor who overcame leukemia to win a gold medal in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing in the 10-km open water race. His feat of endurance raised 3.9 million euros for cancer research. It is Van der Weijden's second bid to complete the route after failing last year. This time he had slept and eaten more, and worn a warmer wetsuit. "I love swimming, helping others and setting goals for myself,". @mvdweijden @mvdwfoundation

    Maarten van der Weijden

    #Swimmable rivers #cancer awareness #endurance swimmer

    Windsurfer, World Champion, European Water Star, Dutch Wavemaker - Kiran son of a Surinamese father and Dutch mother has been professionally windsurfing for four years now. @kiranbadloe gets infected with the windsurf virus in Bonaire, where he lived for three years, when he gets a surf lesson as a gift on his 9th birthday. As a European Water Star he understands the importance of water, and he'd like to inspire young professionals to work in the water sector, bringing in fresh ideas and creative solutions for these challenges "You never know which way the current is going to flow, but it's always going to take you onto a new adventure".

    Kiran Badloe

    #Olympic Windsurfer #water sports #Europe

    Advocate for ocean health, Yachtswoman, Teamwork - Sailors from the 2017-18 Race have come on board to support our learning resources - the UK’s Dee Caffari, who skippered Turn the Tide on Plastic team during the last Race, have highlighted the role of education to empower and inspire action. As the world becomes increasingly aware of the challenges we face due to pressures on our ocean and environment we are reminded by these champion sportswomen of the determination, bravery and, above all, commitment to teamwork needed to face and overcome these challenges. “The big decisions you make are those which you grab with both hands.” . Leadership tips from Dee Book: Against the flow

    Dee Caffari

    #Ocean conservation #solo sailing #climate advocacy

    Freediver, 3-time world record holder, Exploration and conservation - Exploration and underwater imaging through the ancient art of freediving. Concerned by conservation issues for many years, in 2005 @fredbuyle started to work with marine biologists, assisting them in their fieldwork. He uses his freediving abilities to approach the animals and perform tasks such as acoustic and satellite tagging or DNA sampling. For Fred, freediving is a tool and a lifestyle!

    Fred Buyle

    #Ocean conservation #freediving #underwater photography

    After the Artic Row (2012), a new pioneering Polar rowing expedition exploring some of the coldest waters on earth. The team of international rowers from Britain, Iceland, India, Norway and the United States took to sea from the northern coast of Norway on July 20 and headed north to an island on the Svalbard archipelago. They then continued to the Arctic ice shelf — the first rowing crew recorded as making it that far north — before turning south toward Iceland. They had set out to break several world records, before having to call off their mission. Being in the middle of the Arctic Ocean is a very good way to make you feel very small and insignificant.... @thepolarrow

    The Polar Row Team

    #Adventure #Rowing #Expedition

    The Iceman - Wim Hof, also known as The Iceman, is a Dutch extreme athlete noted for his ability to withstand freezing temperatures. He has set Guinness world records for swimming under ice and prolonged full-body contact with ice, and still holds the record for a barefoot half-marathon on ice and snow. More inspiration about Wim Hofman method “When we interact with nature, miraculous things can happen. Whenever you go beyond the rigid patterns of thinking, challenging yourself, you can receive the bounty of experience from hard nature.”

    Wim Hofman

    #ExtremeSwimming #MentalResilience #Global

    United States National Spearfishing Champion - Kimi Wener has actively advocated for marine conservation and ocean protection. She has been involved in various initiatives and actions to raise awareness about the importance of preserving our precious aquatic ecosystems. Kimi has actively engaged in beach cleanups, organized educational workshops, and participated in conservation campaigns to protect marine life and their habitats. Through her platform as a spearfishing champion, she encourages responsible and sustainable practices in the sport, promoting ethical fishing techniques that minimize harm to marine ecosystems. Kimi's dedication to both her sport and the protection of our oceans sets an inspiring example for others to follow in their own water journeys while actively contributing to marine conservation efforts.

    Kimi Werner

    #SustainableSpearfishing #MarineLife #Hawaii

    Explorer of the Year, Author, Broadcaster. Wounded Tigris: A 10-WEEK, 1200-MILE JOURNEY - The waters of the Tigris fed the earliest civilisations on earth, and our quest was for the enduring aspects of the river - the culture and heritage that have survived for millennia. We experienced the beauty and depth of history, but also saw clearly the impact of past decades of conflict, and the environmental and geopolitical threats that are so present in the region. Leon is known for long-distance expeditions and immersive multimedia storytelling. In the past decade he has travelled over 50,000km by human power, and is currently based in Iraq.

    Leon McCarron

    #WaterExploration #RiversInConflict #MiddleEast

    Cold water swim coach (with a passion for ice) rock climber, presenter and illustrator - She generally prefers to communicate through drawings. She is a director of the Women's Trad Festival and a qualified swim coach, lifeguard and founder of Blue Mind Men - a mens cold water swim club. Blue Mind Men was inspired by her love of swimming over winter in high up tarns and hunting for ice with a few hardy friends (not the most common of 'hobbies'!). This club takes the form of a weekly session, for men and friends for those keen to discover cold water skin (no wetsuit) swimming and the benefits it has on mental wellbeing.

    Gilly McArthur

    #IceSwimming #OutdoorAdventures #UK

    Presenter, film-maker, writer, The Outdoor Swimming Society, - 'It’s often said that there are only seven narrative plots in all of storytelling. Any story will fit into one of: Rags to Riches, The Quest, Voyage and Return, Rebirth, Comedy, Tragedy, and Overcoming the Monster. The following story CALUM VS THE MONSTER (A 12km walk in, a 310m deep loch, and a serious case of deep water fear…) fits within that final plot type. This story takes place at Loch Mòrar, in the west highlands of Scotland. At 310m, it’s the deepest freshwater in the whole of Britain. Loch Mòrar is also said to be home to a monster, or a creature: Mòrag. However, this tale has nothing to do with Mòrag.'

    Calum Maclean

    #PublicAccess #Swimming

    American writer and canoeist - “the modern-day Huckleberry Finn” - 22Rivers: a journey into the soul of America; He is the author of two non-fiction books – Down the Mississippi and Homelands. Neal spent most of the last two years on a canoe trip across America, the country where he was born and raised, and which he left at 18. In the three decades since he lived and adventured all over the world. He spent little time in the U.S., aside from his 2009 source-to-sea paddle on the Mississippi River, and also the months he spent in 2018 fighting high water on the Columbia River and its tributaries, all the way up and over the Continental Divide, only to call it quits in North Dakota

    Neal Moore

    #RiverJourneys #CulturalConnection #USA

    Trail runner, Outdoor Educator - Run to Salvar una Cuenca - Felipe's quest to raise awareness around the impacts of hydropower in Chile. Felipe takes us through the Maipo River Valley in Central Chile on a 120km traverse that highlights the impacts of the Alto Maipo hydropower project. His run reveals the effects the project has had on Andean ecosystems, local communities and traditions, and the threat it poses to the water supply for Santiago’s 7.1 million residents. The outdoor education became a huge tool to teach and share his enthusiasm about nature and the natural world.

    Felipe Cancino

    #Kayaking #RiverConservation #ExpeditionAdventure #SouthAmerica

    Polar explorer and expedition photographer on climate change & mental health - Martin has spent the last 16 years documenting the polar regions. During this time, he has covered cumulatively over 2,000 miles skiing, living for 400 days on the sea ice, including a mammoth 99-day crossing of the ocean from Russia to Canada across the top of the planet. Several of these endeavours have focused on collecting data to help scientists better understand our planet. Time magazine has acknowledged Martin’s contribution to science with its prestigious Hero of the Environment award for his research work on multiple surveys of the frozen Arctic Ocean.

    Martin Hartley

    #PolarPhotography #WaterCrises #Global

    Wild swimmer and Waterlogger - She is combining her love for open water swimming with environmental research and campaigning. It feels like a natural fit for someone who took to the water as a form of therapy following her own personal biological disaster. She was in a senior position in teacher training in Llandudno before becoming ill and turning to swimming. We Swim Wild adds a fresh voice and energy to the issues facing U.K waters. We skill up our grassroots campaigners to take action to protect rivers and oceans from agricultural pollution, sewage, plastics and chemicals.

    Laura Owen Sanderson

    #WildSwimming #UK

  • Flowing Stories & Expressions

    Art & Culture

    Founder Sunglacier – Making water in the desert - Dutch visual artist, filmmaker and cultural ambassador who is fascinated by nature - particularly the elements. Addressing his desire to make a difference with art, Ap created SunGlacier; a company that innovates solar-powered sculptures to produce water out of thin air. One of SunGlacier’s projects is The Desert Twins. Inspired by Moon Landers, the structure is an energy unit that draws power from solar panels - operating like a modern-day water well.

    Ap Verheggen

    #Climate adaptation #water technology #artist #Desert

    Dutch artist. Rubber Duck. Hippopothames - Florentijn is best known for his playful urban installations that see animals scaled up to larger-than-life proportions. his most famous projects include the monumental floating duck which traveled to numerous international cities, the huge 'hippopothames' which made its way down the river thames. Rubber ducks have appeared in cities around the world including Hong Kong, Pittsburgh, Toronto, Baku and Sydney. The message behind the work is that we should be conscious of one another and the environment, because the world is our global bathtub. We are one big family and we are responsible for the world. It is beautiful to see how a serious and universally understood message can be spread in a playful way through art.

    Florentijn Hofman

    #Water awareness #public art #sculptor

    Architect, activist and water recreation experts, Pool is Cool, involved in processes of urban transformation. - Leading an independent citizen’s group whose aim is to re-introduce outdoor swimming to the city of Brussels. They never wanted to build pools. They wanted to make decision-takers, politicians, and administrations build the pools themselves. It's not about whether they want to build a pool, it’s more about swimming as an activity, and promoting the culture around it.

    Paul Steinbrück and Louisa Vermoere

    #Water Achitecture #Public Space

    Dutch Beach Art, environment as a canvas - There’s 353 kilometres of Dutch coast where you’ll find houses, beach cafes and lots of people depending on the location. And if you’re lucky, you can run into some lovely Dutch Beach Art. From mandalas to Polynesian art, Tim Hoekstra and his friends enjoying making big works of beach art before the tide comes in and washes it away. Tim loves to be out in nature and be in his own creative world where everything can happen. He loves to work on a large-scale using the environment as a canvas. It's washed away by waves as the tide comes in. He hopes people are surprised, wondered, touched or just feel the energy he put in his work.

    Tim Hoekstra

    #BeachArt #Public Space

    Underwater photographer - David has a long and intimate vision into the sea. He began snorkeling at age 8 at a summer camp in the Adirondack and by age 12 he was making pictures underwater using a Brownie Hawkeye camera stuffed into a rubber anesthesiologist bag. David has long since mastered the techniques of working with water and light to become a contributing photographer for National Geographic Magazine where he has published nearly 70 stories since 1971. "When I was around 12 or 13 years old, I was pretty certain much of my life would be spent underwater. Pictures have the power to celebrate, educate, honor, humiliate, and illuminate. They can be a direct catalyst for the conservation of a species or entire ecosystem, inspiring many to personally experience what a place is about".

    David Doubilet

    #Ocean photography #marine conservation

    Artist and innovator, Icoon Afsluitdijk, Waterlicht - Dutch artist and innovator Daan Roosegaarde (1979) is a creative thinker and maker of social designs that explores the relation between people, technology and space. @SRoosegaarde is a Dutch artist and founder of Studio Roosegaarde, which develops projects that merge technology and art in urban environments. Daan Roosegaarde frequently shares his visionary ideas and projects at lectures across the world, incl. at TED and NASA. Icoon Afsluitdijk #Waterlicht: Haunting virtual floods submerge cities around the world. "People won't change because of facts or numbers. But if we can trigger the imagination of a new world, that's the way to activate people. I don't believe in utopia, but in protopia; step by step upgrading the world around us. Art is our activator."

    Daan Roosegaarde

    #Sea Level Rise #Art & Tech #DutchArtist

    A Symbol of Strength and Resiliency - The Water is Rising - Losing ground to climate change, this Alaskan community resolves to save itself. Water will erase Newtok, Alaska. To keep their culture and community intact, the Yup’ik residents must relocate their entire village upriver while battling government inertia. This is a story about a village seeking justice in the face of climate disaster.

    Marie Meade

    #CulturalHeritage #IndigenousKnowledge #Arctic

    in-house filmmaker and managing archivist at the activist outdoor brand Patagonia - Nate believes deeply in the power of images to educate, inspire, and serve as a catalyst for positive environmental action. Covering the mining threat to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. With over 14 years of experience working, Nate brings a unique mix of authentic visual storytelling, post-production acumen, and nuanced environmental perspective. He strives for quality and seek to create positive environmental change through his work.

    Nate Ptacek

    #RiverStorytelling #FilmForConservation #USA

    Architect, STUDIO SPACE STATION - Research focuses on the changing global political arenas forced by climate change and will explore their local and spatial effects. Although architects are seen as people who design spaces, we also design relationships. Especially in these turbulent political times, it's necessary to look at how the world is designed to understand the larger context in which a project is taking place. She reflects on major problems at a global level, while other times she focuses on the space inside someone's mind.

    Lesia Topolnyk

    #Storytelling #Architect #FilmForConservation #USA

    Colombian Artist - Her artwork examines the social and environmental impact of harnessing rivers to generate power and seeks justice for the natural world. She recognizes water as a public space, a human right, and as a spiritual and living entity with its own rights. Her book Serpent River is part of the ongoing body of work ‘Be Dammed’, that investigates the effects of extractivism on natural and social landscapes, exploring the power dynamics associated with the corporatization and decimation of water resources.

    Carolina Caycedo

    #ArtForRivers #CulturalIdentity #SouthAmerica

    4th generation book seller in Amman - “Mahal al-Maa”—“Water Shop”. ‘Pay as you like’ bookstore. Books Are Like Water: The 24-Hour Bookshop. Selling books is Hamzeh al-Maaytah’s calling. He believes in books. Books are like boats, he says. Some can keep people afloat, while others make them drown. Books are like food for the mind. Books are like water. In 2016, Hamzeh actually renamed his shop “Mahal al-Maa”—“Water Shop”—to reflect the necessary nature of books, and specifically of good books, which help people develop in positive ways. “Water is free,” he says. “Every person needs water, and books also are like water.”

    Hamzeh AlMaaytah

    #Bookstore #Amman

    Eco Edit, fair fashion, climate and anti-racist activist - She connects to her activism through nature and cold-water swimming. She always had a love for nature, and she thinks that’s prevalent to the work that she is doing. As an activist, educator, geography student and sustainability focused content creator, now more than ever she is looking after her mental wellbeing has been a difficult journey. Finding a way to connect racial equality, environmental justice and our oceans saved me. She truly believes that if more people reconnected with nature, we would see a huge positive impact in the social and climate justice space.

    Angel Arutura

    #ClimateJustice #YouthVoices #Global

    Whitewater kayaking and environmental action on Slovenia’s Sava River - Sharing her passion for environmental conservation and self-propelled exploration in honour of the wild people and places that make everyday an adventure. As a whitewater kayaker she has been privileged to experience pockets of untouched wilderness all over the world, and is motivated and encouraged by locals working using creativity and direct-action approaches to protect wilderness areas. She studied Geography at the University of Victoria, Canada, exploring the interaction between large carnivore and elite backcountry recreationists.

    Carmen Kuntz

    #RiverStorytelling #AdventureJournalism #Europe&Canada

    Sea-Women: Jung Sun-ja, 84, Yoon Yeon-ok, 74, and Ko Keum-sun, 69 - For most of the haenyeo, diving seems to be a decisive factor for their wellbeing. Through physical activity they avoid the dangers of a sedentary lifestyle. They feel vital and useful and can be together with people they have known all their life. Haenyeo, or "sea women,” come from a long diving tradition. They can dive as deep as 20 meters , they gather as much as they can carry and place it in floating nets. The divers say they see their work as more than just a job; it’s a way of life that keeps them connected to the ocean. However, this centuries-old practice may be coming to an end as climate change transforms the ocean.

    Haenyeo of Jeju

    #WomenDivers #Tradition #Lifestyle #SouthKorea

    An acclaimed Turkish-British author, beautifully weaves water as a metaphor in her storytelling, exploring themes of identity, migration, memory, and interconnectedness. In her book "There Are Rivers in the Sky", she poetically reflects on how water shapes human experiences, flowing through history, cultures, and emotions. Her work invites readers to see rivers not just as physical entities but as symbols of resilience, belonging, and transformation, inspiring deeper connections with both nature and each other.

    Elif Shafaka

    #WaterMetaphors #LiteraryActivism #Interconnectedness #Storytelling

    Cookie Use
    We use cookies to ensure a smooth browsing experience. By continuing we assume you accept the use of cookies.
    Learn More