Reflections from World Water Week: Communicating the Global Water Story
Last week we joined thousands of participants at World Water Week, the leading conference on global water issues. This year’s program in Stockholm was framed by the motto “Water for Climate Action” and focused not only on the science and policy of water, but also on how we communicate it.
The main stage series, Water in Communications, explored the power of narrative, storytelling and media in shaping how water challenges and solutions are understood. On the topic of climate change in particular, it’s essential for scientists to be able to translate their findings to the broader public.
Sessions examined questions such as how data can be made meaningful without distortion, how water can be positioned not only as a crisis but also as a source of hope and regeneration, how communicators can navigate disinformation and polarized media landscapes, and how art, culture and community voices can help shift perceptions and inspire collective action.
Tackling disinformation
But what if your audience doesn’t believe in science anymore? This tough question was asked in a session about disinformation and political division. It’s not just a hypothetical question — it’s a reality: The market for disinformation is now estimated at $78B, and research shows that false news spreads 70% faster than facts.
The speakers recommended that all scientific communicators stick to the basics: Embed knowledge, create trust and foster community. It's crucial to keep the audience in mind and communicate for and with them, while still being transparent and sharing evidence-based information.
A similar message emerged from a session on the power of art in telling stories around climate change that create action. How can we get people to engage? Facts don’t lead us to action, but emotions do. Our partner One Drop, who was a panelist at the session, emphasized that this is why it’s so important to create joyful moments. Art is a wonderful tool to create connections that set free collective energies, allowing us to actually solve issues around climate change.
Throughout the week, we saw practical examples where water in communications was central to the impact of the work presented. Three moments stood out.
Communicating the human experience through data
On the first day, Helvetas joined a panel on the Water Insecurity Experiences (WISE) scale. The WISE scale captures people’s lived experiences of water insecurity, such as if they have enough water, if they feel worry or shame about it, or if they face barriers to access it.
Our fellow panelist and a close Helvetas collaborator, Dr. Scott Miller from charity: water, emphasized how powerful WISE data can be as a communication tool. Donors and partners, he noted, respond not only to infrastructure statistics but also to the human story that the data conveys. Their supporters were so appreciative of being trusted with this data that they even had some donors increase their giving after charity: water began communicating about WISE findings.
Their experience showed that evidence-based, transparent use of data storytelling can be a powerful tool in sharing impact of our work on the ground.
Communicating credibility in climate finance
Helvetas also presented our pilot work with Virridy on using carbon credits for water. Carbon finance holds real potential to support water services, yet one of the biggest challenges is public perception. The mechanism is hard to understand for the general public, and many carbon markets have been accused of greenwashing.
Unfortunately, that might be true for some projects, making it all the more important to be transparent about the nuances of certain projects. With a clear, powerful message, the real impact can be told in an accessible way and nuances can be explained. Integrity varies, standards exist, and water-carbon programs can deliver real benefits when designed and monitored responsibly.
Communicating in real time
One of the most engaging sessions we attended showcased innovative water measurement tools. A standout example was the H2Now platform, which was developed by the organization Current. H2Now functions like a weather app for water quality in the Chicago River, delivering near real-time data directly to the public.
For Chicago residents, this is more than just data. It is an engagement tool that builds confidence in their river as a safe and usable public space. The ability to check water quality as easily as checking the forecast is a powerful form of communication, turning scientific monitoring into everyday decision-making.
Why this matters
From data visualization to carbon credibility to real-time apps, the thread connecting these examples is clear: Communications shape how the world’s water realities are understood, trusted and acted upon.
As one speaker noted, “Storytelling is a form of science communication.” The science may be rigorous and the interventions effective, but without effective communication strategies programs can fall short, or worse, be misinterpreted.
For Helvetas, this year’s emphasis on water in communications was a useful reminder. As practitioners, we tend to focus on the technical, policy or funding dimensions of our work, yet how we communicate our programs can be equally critical to their success.
World Water Week reminded us that solving global water challenges and climate action is not only about science and systems change. It is also about stories, trust and how effectively we communicate both.
About the Authors
Christina Barstow is Helvetas USA's Director of Water, Food, & Climate.
Sonja Gambon is Helvetas' Social Media Manager.
