HIGH COST OF CHEAP WATER! First ever annual estimate of economic value of water and freshwater ecosystems is US$58 trillion - equivalent to 60% of global GDP

OUT NOW: WWF report estimates the direct & indirect economic value of water & freshwater ecosystems at US$58 trillion! But this value is threatened by the world's worsening water crisis - driven by the degradation of our freshwater ecosystems and ongoing water blindness.

Water, the world's most precious yet undervalued resource, lies at the heart of a mounting global crisis that threatens both human and planetary health, warns a new report, published by WWF.

“It is time for governments, businesses, and financial institutions to invest in protecting and restoring our freshwater ecosystems to ensure we build a future where water flows in abundance for all,” says Dr Kirsten Schuijt, WWF International’s Director-General.

The report finds that direct economic benefits, such as water consumption for households, irrigated agriculture and industries, amount to a minimum of US$7.5 trillion annually. It also estimates that the unseen benefits - which include purifying water, enhancing soil health, storing carbon, and protecting communities from extreme floods and droughts - are seven times higher at around US$50 trillion annually.

Read full story on WWF here:
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Or you can download the report here:
https://lnkd.in/equvHM-M