Three Members of Congress introduced the Water Access Act to prevent a looming water assistance crisis as a funding assistance program runs dry.

"We can solve this problem," said Yasmin Zaerpoor, who directs water equity work with the research and action institute PolicyLink. "Federal programs already exist to help low-income households pay energy and phone bills when they’re struggling, but funding for the temporary Low Income Household Water Assistance Program will expire in just days if Congress doesn’t act now."

The Fifth National Climate Assessment warns of climate impacts for people and the environment in the Mississippi River basin. WECR steering committee member Rebecca Malpass with The Water Collaborative comments on the extremes of "weather whiplash."

The Fifth National Climate Assessment, released November 14, 2023 summarizes the latest scientific consensus on climate science in the United States. The report finds safe, reliable water supplies in the United States are threatened by drought, flooding, and sea level rise. Climate change is degrading water quality for people and ecosystems, and threatening public health. While many communities across the country are already investing in climate-water solutions, adaptation efforts aren’t moving fast enough to keep up with the speed of climate change impacts on water resources. This summary highlights the water-related subject-matter findings of the assessment.

Art credit: "Redrawing the Earth" is a 2023 colored pencil drawing submitted by Ritika S. in Grade 8 as part of the National Climate Assessment's Art x Climate gallery.