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Get Blue™: A Unified Effort for Global Water Access

Introduction

In a landmark collaboration, Water.org has partnered with industry giants Gap Inc., Amazon, Starbucks, and Ecolab to initiate Get Blue™, a global initiative aimed at addressing the urgent need for accessible clean water and sanitation across the globe. The launch, announced at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, sets an ambitious target of improving the lives of 200 million people by 2030.

The Water Crisis: A Global Challenge

Today, approximately 2.1 billion people, or nearly one in four globally, still lack access to safe drinking water, while 3.4 billion are deprived of adequate sanitation facilities. This crisis has far-reaching consequences, affecting health, economic opportunities, and educational access. Recognizing the critical importance of addressing water access, the founding partners have united their resources, influence, and creativity to create sustainable solutions.

Get Blue™: Innovative Approaches to Water Accessibility

Get Blue™ is designed to serve as a long-term platform encouraging companies across various sectors to treat water accessibility as a core social and operational issue. The initiative promotes recognition among businesses that clean water is essential not only for community health but also for the resilience of their own supply chains.

Richard Dickson, the President and CEO of Gap Inc., encapsulates the essence of the campaign, stating, "Every person should have access to clean water. By aligning with fellow prominent brands, we seek to bridge the vast gap in access to this vital resource."

Corporate Responsibility and Collaboration

The initiative serves as a call to action for companies to step into leadership roles in solving the water crisis. By pooling resources and fostering collaboration, Get Blue™ aims to drive significant, measurable impact.

Gary White, Co-founder of Water.org, underscores the necessity of unified effort:

"Solving the global water crisis is achievable with cohesive action from the business community. Get Blue provides enterprises a platform to lead change effortlessly, expanding solutions that are already helping millions."

To date, Water.org has successfully connected 85 million people to safe water and sanitation through their innovative programs, including the WaterCredit system, which provides affordable loans for water access.

How Get Blue™ Works

Get Blue™ will mobilize resources through branded products, partnerships, and consumer engagement campaigns, with profits directed to fund initiatives that empower families to obtain and maintain sustainable water sources. Major companies like Amazon plan to showcase their commitment through significant investments in projects aimed at water conservation.

For instance, Amazon has already initiated over 40 water replenishment projects, ultimately aiming to return more water to communities than is consumed in their operations.

The Role of Founding Partners

Each founding partner brings unique strengths to the Get Blue™ initiative:

• - Gap Inc. focuses on leveraging its brand influence to raise awareness and funding for water-related challenges.
• - Starbucks commits financial resources to help communities thrive, particularly those involved in their supply chain.
• - Ecolab aims to improve water management practices among its clients, emphasizing the importance of smart water usage.

Marika McCauley Sine from Starbucks highlights their commitment:

"Clean water is essential—not only for health but for supporting the communities we rely on for our products. This partnership illustrates our dedication to making a lasting impact."

Future Prospects

With plans to activate their initiatives throughout 2026, these brands will reach consumers and businesses alike, thus maximizing project outreach and effectiveness. The goal is grounded in the belief that when the private sector unites, they can contribute to resolving the water crisis effectively.

Matt Damon, co-founder of Water.org, states, "The success of Get Blue™ lies in leveraging our collective influence to foster real change and encourage participation in this pivotal movement."

Conclusion

The launch of Get Blue™ marks a hopeful beginning in the fight against the global water crisis. By joining forces, Water.org, Gap Inc., Amazon, Starbucks, and Ecolab envision a future where access to clean water is a universal reality. For information on how to get involved or support the initiative, visit GetBlue.water.org.

In conclusion, as businesses recognize and embrace their role in solving global issues, the potential for impactful change continues to grow. Whether through financial contributions, innovative partnerships, or engaging consumers, getting involved in ensuring water security is an imperative shared by all sectors of society.