Water pollution tops global concerns: Public calls for urgent action

As the world grapples with a worsening water crisis, new global research reveals a striking shift in public environmental priorities. According to a major international survey by WWF and GlobeScan, water pollution is now considered the most serious environmental issue worldwide—surpassing even climate concerns in urgency.

The findings come ahead of World Water Day, underscoring the critical need for collective action to protect our freshwater resources. The survey—capturing the voices of over 30,000 people across 31 countries and territories—found that 63% of respondents view water pollution as a “very serious” problem. Other water-related issues, such as the depletion of natural water resources, water scarcity, and the loss of freshwater ecosystems, also ranked among the top ten global concerns.

The report, The Future Water Agenda: How Water Can Lead the Way for Sustainability and Collective Action, highlights a growing public appetite for solutions. People are calling for stronger protection and restoration of rivers, lakes, wetlands, and other freshwater ecosystems, alongside more proactive engagement from companies and governments alike. As the research makes clear, addressing the water crisis is no longer just a sustainability challenge—it’s a shared global imperative with direct implications for livelihoods, economies, and nature itself.