Water and Life on Earth main content.

Water and Life on Earth

Water makes life as we know it possible.

Every drop cycles continuously through air, land, and sea, to be used by someone (or something) else "downstream." Water covers 70% of Earth's surface, but only 3% is fresh, and only a fraction of one percent supports all life on land. Climate change and growing populations are increasing the pressure on that reserve. By using water more wisely, we can make sure there's enough to share with all living things.

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Support for the development of Science Topics was generously provided by Sidney and Helaine Lerner, GRACE Communications Foundation.