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Water

Preserving the simple molecule that makes Earth habitable.

Though roughly three-quarters of Earth is covered by water, less than 1% of it is fresh and freely available for drinking and agriculture.

Given growing pressures on this essential resource, Yale has committed to reducing its water usage through careful conservation measures and landscape management plans. 

The university is home to a vibrant research community investigating a range of water-related issues, from the role of water in the global carbon cycle to how future droughts may affect food shortages and even methods for extracting rare earth metals from ocean water. 

At a Glance

Facts and figures about water

  • 20 Liters

    The minimum amount of clean water that should be afforded per person, per day

  • 10%

    The top 10% of the world’s most stressed river basins support  nearly 20% of the world’s population

  • 15 Seconds

    New membranes developed at Yale to remove nitrates from freshwater shorten the process from several hours to 15 seconds

Related Resources

Incentivizing Sustainable Agricultural Practices Using Satellite Technology

2025 Grant Awardee

Climate change disproportionately affects poor countries and communities. Because traditional farming practices are resource-intensive and a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, agriculture is both highly vulnerable and a key opportunity for low-cost mitigation. This project targets methane emissions and water scarcity in rice farming.

Aerial view of rice fields

Events

  • YPS Visioning Summit 2050

    In-person

    Yale Schwarzman Center Presidents’ Room

    9:30 am - 1:00 pm | October 10, 2025

  • Yale @ Climate Week NYC

    In-person

    From September 23 to 25, 2025, Yale @ Climate Week NYC will bring together thought leaders, activists, scholars, students, and innovators…

  • YPS 2050 Listening Session

    Online

    Describe your vision for how Yale can lead and collaborate on planetary solutions in the next 25 years!