ABOUT US: PUBLISHERS NOTE: Water Isn't Sexy

Water isn't sexy.

That's what I'm told, often by newspaper reporter and publishers as explanation for why they cannot cover water stories.

 From Here to Eternity (1953)

I find this excuse a little hard to swallow, considering the water-based movie scenes in films like From Here to Eternity (1953), several of the Bond movies (with non-royal Bond girls), Flashdance (1983) ... or any of the movies listed on the Reelz "Top Ten Wet, Wild, and Sexy Movie Scenes" (NOTE: some of these are a bit racy - you might want to watch this from your home computer and view at your own risk).  

Flashdance (1983)

People connect with water on many levels and for many reasons, not all of which are sexually-based.  Brad Paisley has a hit song called "Water" in which he talks about the many experiences that led to his "lifelong love affair with water" - experiences ranging from splashing in the pool in his back yard, to daring his friends to jump from the rope into the river, to Spring Break wet t-shirt contents at Daytona Beach (and somehow, we're back at sex again ...).

Especially with this summer's heat, Paisley's lyrics remind us that "all we need, this time of year, is a pair of shades and an ice cold beer, and a place to sit, somewhere near the water."

Can you relate?

It is true that we are created with a high percentage of our body mass consisting of water.  Beyond that scientific factoid, though, water shapes our lives. Water shapes our communities.  Water shapes our culture.  Water shapes our economy.  Water shapes our country.  Water shapes our world.  As is stated in the Thomas Ferril poem written on the walls of the Colorado state capitol, we all live in "a land where life is written in Water."

So why can't we communicate about water in a way that is both well-informed and informative, that is both interesting and engaging, and even "sexy"?

In my 20 years of working in water resources planning and policy, I have never seen a greater level of awareness of and interest in water by the general public.  When people found out the name of the consulting practice I started a few years back - Watercat Consulting - they often didn't ask me what I did, but instead told me "Water is important!."

The exact nature of that "importance" of water varies from person to person - whether they take it to mean issues of scarcity in drought-prone regions, and the impacts of climate change on water supplies, or the protection and restoration of aquatic habitat and areas of cultural and social significance, or the role of  water technology in our economy and as a critical component for manufacturing.

People would tell me they didn't know anything about water ... and then proceed to tell me everything they do know about water - facts and "factoids" they have learned from mainstream news, from neighbors, from films and reality shows.  Clearly, there is a thirst not only for water, but also for water information, provided by a trustworthy and well-informed source, presented in a way that the average citizen can understand.

Unfortunately, the latest stories about water are provided by professional and "trade" journals and academic publications, or presented at water conferences (people who work in water tend to have a lot of conferences).  These stories are typically neither presented for a mainstream audience, nor are there extensive efforts to distribute these stories to a broader public.  

We spend billions of dollars each year on water-related research and projects, and yet somehow never seem to have money to cover the costs of telling people what we found or what it means and why it is important – except when there is a need to communicate with the public to gain support for a project, a policy, or a permit.

Where water stories are covered by the mainstream press, they are often covered by people with little background in water, who not only may not know the science or legal background of water issues, but also the history and the intricate relationships that form between the many different players (the "stakeholders") in the water arena.   

Specialty journalism (science journalism or agricultural journalism, usually covered in “niche” publications, is an exception to this tendency, other than Tuesday’s Science Section of the New York Times).  Another exception is “crisis” and “advocacy” journalism – which has its place and plays an important role in society, but isn’t quite the place to find objective coverage from a “free, independent press.”

Water Citizen hopes to fill the gap that now exists in the availability of stories on water that are widely accessible, engaging, well-written and well-informed ... and maybe even a little bit sexy.

As water lawyer Bob Lynch explains, this can be a real challenge - but I think we're up for it!  (Get ready to say "Thank You, Bob!").`

In order to succeed in meeting this challenge, we need you to be a part of Water Citizen.  Please stay with us for the months ahead, as we roll out our "Preview Editions" each month and "find our voice" and learning to make the most of the opportunities to create an interactive space through online multimedia journalism.  Look for opportunities where YOU can get involved through comments, "Water Citizen Journalism," contributions of stories and other support (including our upcoming Kickstarter campaign!).  There will be opportunities for you to "Declare Your Water Citizenship" and to become a Water Citizen Ambassador for your office, school, or neighborhood.  If you're ready "do your little turn on the catwalk," you can submit your own "I'm a Water Citizen video" - our ongoing tribute to the members of the Water Community.

What could be more sexy than that?

Seriously, though, you are an important part of this journey.  Thanks for being a part of Water Citizen News!