Water Hub

We’re currently diving into Water Bodies: Love Letters to the Most Abundant Substance on Earth, an anthology where Western writers share their reflections on water, edited by New Mexico’s own Laura Paskus. This excerpt from Maria Lane’s "A Long View Over Albuquerque" really speaks to us: “Every time we turn a landscape or a river into an abstraction, we make it harder to engage with it as a place where communities and relations can be founded or sustained.” 🌊 Grateful for these talented writers who’ve made this collection so moving! Grab your copy from Torrey House Press here: https://lnkd.in/eBxKUKHt

🌍 Journalists, ready to elevate your climate storytelling? Join Covering Climate Now on October 31 for CCNow Basics – The Three Pillars, a training designed to help you tell the climate story in a way that connects. This session, led by Natalie Li, explores how to Humanize, Localize, and Solutionize climate coverage—focusing on real-world impacts and practical solutions to engage audiences effectively. 🔗 Register for the conversation here: https://lnkd.in/e6cuuysc

Building trust in environmental work means recognizing the experiences our partners bring. Julian Gonzalez from Earthjustice shares in the newest hashtag #ColorOfWater episode that acknowledging past challenges and committing to improvement are key to fostering genuine connections. This approach isn’t just about righting wrongs—it’s about showing up with empathy and a commitment to growth. Listen to Julian's insights on building partnerships with waterloop: https://lnkd.in/epc2PQhw #EnvironmentalJustice #WaterJustice #CommunityBuilding

Cities like Portland and Chicago are leading the way in revitalizing their urban rivers, transforming once-polluted waters into spaces for connection and recreation. In Portland, efforts led by the Human Access Project have brought life back to the Willamette River, making it swimmable for the first time in decades. Chicago is following suit, with hopes of seeing people swim in the Chicago River soon. These efforts are more than just environmental wins—they create a cultural shift, reconnecting communities with nature and each other. As Willie Levenson of the Human Access Project says, “The most powerful thing is a community of people on a river that love that river.” Read more from Jim Axelrod for CBS News: https://lnkd.in/gWUMw2hA

As the Biden administration delays its decision on managing the #ColoradoRiver, the future of this crucial waterway—serving 40 million people—now hinges on the next president. The contentious negotiations among seven Western states have stalled, leaving major questions about water allocation unanswered. This news highlights the very issues we discussed in our latest Election Narratives video on the growing importance of water in the upcoming elections. Water management is not only shaping this election cycle, but will be a major focus for whoever leads our country next. Read more from Annie Snider in POLITICO: https://lnkd.in/e_W_cAs6

The final video in our Election Narratives series focuses on the West, where water issues could play a pivotal role in the upcoming election. 🌊 While voters often prioritize jobs and economic security, 85% of Western voters say clean air, water, and public lands are key factors in deciding who to support. With Senate elections in California, New Mexico, Nevada, and Arizona—and the latter two being swing states—water could play a major role in shaping the outcome of the presidential race. Watch our latest video on water and the election, and read more on the blog: https://lnkd.in/gfhFg9vW #ElectionNarratives #WesternWater #2024Elections

As Arizona's elections approach, one issue is being overlooked that could decide the state’s future: water. 💧 While topics like inflation and education dominate the conversation, climate change and unsustainable water use are pushing Arizona into a water crisis. From dried-up wells to moratoriums on new housing developments, the state’s water policy is at a critical juncture. Yet, few candidates are addressing it directly. Jake Bittle explores the stakes of this year’s elections and how they could shape Arizona’s water future for years to come for Grist: https://lnkd.in/gdSsVdZ4

To influence real change, it’s not just about showing up with an agenda—it’s about showing up with strong partnerships. When organizations partner with local constituents, government officials listen differently. As Julian Gonzalez from Earthjustice puts it, “Their ears perk up a little bit more when you have partnerships based in their constituencies, and you all are on the same page.” Listen to the full podcast with waterloop here: https://lnkd.in/epc2PQhw #WaterAdvocacy #CommunityPartnership

✨ Have you read the latest newsletter on our blog? ✨ Last month, we gathered at Mt. Hood for a retreat that renewed our connection to nature and our shared mission. We explored how cycles of rest and movement, much like the stars, guide our work and help us grow—both individually and as a team. 🌲💧 Catch up on our reflections and insights from this retreat in our latest blog post: https://lnkd.in/eA2cqvBs

With the 2024 election on the horizon, the future of our #WaterInfrastructure hangs in the balance. Since the passage of the #BipartisanInfrastructureLaw and the #InflationReductionAct, we've seen significant investments in clean drinking water, drought preparedness, and conservation efforts. But this is just the beginning. As we look ahead, it's crucial to ask: Will we continue the national commitment to improving water systems, or will we face a setback? The decisions we make in November will determine the trajectory of our water future. 📽️ Watch the second video in our Election Narratives series, and learn more on our blog: https://lnkd.in/gfhFg9vW #Election2024