The role of water

Water plays a vital role in shaping the environment. It regulates climate, forms landscapes, sustains ecosystems, and drives countless natural processes.

• The water cycle keeps moisture constantly moving between oceans, the atmosphere, and the land. Water evaporates, forms clouds, falls as rain or snow, and returns to rivers and oceans, maintaining balance in the biosphere.
• Climate regulation. The oceans absorb and store enormous amounts of heat, preventing extreme temperature differences between seasons and regions. Without the oceans, Earth’s climate would resemble the harsh and unstable conditions of Mars.
• Geological impact. Water erodes rocks, forms soil, and carves valleys and riverbeds. Over millions of years, water has shaped mountains, plains, and even continents themselves.
• Ecological role. Water is home to millions of species — from microscopic plankton to massive whales. Life first appeared in the oceans around 3.8 billion years ago, and water remains the foundation of biodiversity to this day.

For all living creatures, water is essential. Animal bodies are made up of 60–90% water, and it’s involved in every biological process:

• regulating body temperature;
• transporting nutrients and removing waste;
• serving as a medium for chemical reactions within cells.

Animals have evolved amazing ways to adapt to water scarcity or abundance. Camels, for example, can survive long periods without drinking, while marine animals depend entirely on the aquatic environment. Even a small loss of water can be fatal for many species.

For humans, water is not just a resource — it is life itself. A person can survive several weeks without food, but only 3–5 days without water.

• Physiological importance. Around 70% of the human body is made up of water. It regulates temperature, aids digestion, carries nutrients and oxygen, and removes toxins.
• Everyday and economic use. People use water for drinking, cooking, cleaning, and sanitation. In agriculture, water is indispensable — producing one kilogram of wheat requires about 1,000 liters of water, and one kilogram of beef takes more than 15,000 liters.
• Industry and energy. Water cools machinery, cleans materials, and powers hydroelectric stations, which generate about 16% of the world’s electricity.
• Cultural and spiritual meaning. Throughout history, water has symbolized purification, renewal, and life. It appears in nearly every religion and culture — from Christian baptism to Buddhist water rituals.

Water is not just a chemical substance — it’s the lifeblood of our planet. It connects the atmosphere, the land, the oceans, and all living things into a single, self-sustaining system. Without water, there would be no clouds, no rain, no soil — and no life.

Water also acts as a natural filter, dissolving and transporting substances, cleaning and redistributing them across ecosystems. Ocean currents play a key role in stabilizing global temperatures and carbon levels, directly influencing the planet’s climate balance.

Today, the world faces a growing crisis of fresh water. Pollution, overuse, and climate change have left around 2 billion people without access to clean drinking water. Scientists warn that if humanity doesn’t change how it uses water, future conflicts could arise over this precious resource.

Everyone can help: conserve water, protect rivers and lakes from pollution, support wastewater treatment, and promote technologies that save and recycle water.

Water is the heart of our planet. It gives life, connects continents and people, feeds forests and oceans, animals and humans alike. Without it, Earth would be nothing but a barren desert. Protecting water means protecting life itself. The future of our planet depends on how wisely we learn to use and cherish this most valuable gift of nature.

• The role of water in history