Overuse, pollution, climate disruption, industrial agriculture, and weak governance are driving a global water crisis. From receding groundwater and droughts to floods, water scarcity, and conflicts, these challenges are no longer distant concerns but immediate realities affecting ecosystems, food production, public health, and social stability.

The English edition of the Water Atlas 2025, published by Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung, presents the complexity and urgency of global water issues in a visually compelling, accessible format. It provides facts, trends, case studies, and political context to inform public discourse and shape policy. From the unequal distribution of water and industrial pollution to climate-linked water insecurity and geopolitical tensions, the Water Atlas 2025 aims to sharpen understanding and support action toward more sustainable and equitable water governance.