Circle of Blue informs the most important decisions about global water, food and energy in a changing climate.
Our vision
Circle of Blue is more than one of the world’s premier water newsrooms that provides policymakers, business leaders, and everyday citizens with an authoritative, independent, and world-renowned source for data-driven water reporting and classic journalism.
We are also a new kind of systems-driven media organization — anchored by partnerships and collaborations with communities, governments, media, foundations, and the private sector. Circle of Blue serves as a trusted convenor that works across sectors to connect diverse stakeholders and create the synergies needed to accelerate global progress toward climate-resilient water security.
Our impact
We face a profound moment in history that will define our water future.
Across the world, intensifying water scarcity is disrupting populations, economies, and the environment — affecting every aspect of life as we know it.
With societies and ecosystems experiencing climate change primarily through the lens of water, climate-driven shifts in the world’s hydrologic cycle have profound implications not just for health, food, and energy, but for the very planet itself. In every sense, the water cycle is broken.
As we move deeper into the 21st century, we are witnessing a new crisis threshold, as major cities from South Africa to Mexico to Brazil face total water shutdowns. Collectively, the global water sector faces a “disorganizational emergency,” marked by a lack of trust and inefficient coordination, that leaves us more vulnerable to water-related shocks than ever before — especially for the 4 billion people worldwide who already must cope with water shortfalls for at least one month of the year.
Circle of Blue is filling the gaps. There are better ways to sustainably manage the water needs of both people and the planet — and we already possess many of the solutions needed to change course and navigate the urgent challenges of this uncertain new era.
For nearly 20 years, Circle of Blue has been on the front lines, revealing game-changing trends, producing major events and competitions, and hosting and co-hosting solutions-focused convenings, including:
- Producing and hosting World Water Day at the Vatican, opened by Pope Francis in partnership with the World Bank, United Nations, and Rockefeller Foundation.
- Creating the “Designing Water’s Future” competition in partnership with AIGA, Aspen Design Challenge, and COLLINS.
- Hosting visualization competitions and hackathons in partnership with Qlik and Deloitte.
- Developing and publishing the breakthrough “Global Choke Point” series with the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, Skoll Global Threats Fund, and Asian Development Bank.
- Facilitating events with the World Economic Forum in Azerbaijan, India, Mongolia, China, and Switzerland.
- Co-founding the Great Lakes News Collaborative, an innovative multi-channel reporting and distribution platform of five leading news and policy organizations reporting on water in the U.S. Great Lakes.
As thought leaders in the field, our visionary work across the U.S., China, Australia, Mexico, India and the Middle East has earned Circle of Blue the Rockefeller Centennial Innovation Award, and we are a long-time thought leadership contributor to the World Economic Forum’s Water Futures and other initiatives. Our research, initiatives, events, and storytelling — including our Choke Point and Toxic Terrain projects — have had a direct impact that has helped shape climate agreements, inform local, national, and federal policy, and drive civic action in the water arena, inspiring collaboration and policy action from Davos to Beijing, from Washington to the Vatican.
For example, Choke Point China, part of our Global Choke Point initiative with the Wilson Center, informed and motivated change in China’s national energy and water security policies.
Learn more about our history and timeline on Wikipedia.
Contact us
Reach out to learn more and find out how you can join Circle of Blue and our widening circle of partners and collaborators. As we prepare to launch our ambitious Designing Water’s Future initiative, this is a moment of transformation when we commit to meet the growing demand for trusted information and powerful collaborations that can deliver change, at scale for fresh water and all that it touches.
Our funding
From major global initiatives to supporting our interns, we rely on our readers, foundations, and forward-thinking companies for the resources necessary to keep trusted information flowing. Contributions are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.
Our policies
While Circle of Blue’s scope includes many disciplines, its core engine is based upon the journalistic principle of the Fourth Estate, in which self-governed societies function optimally when served by a free and responsible press that informs, engages and inspires. Any valid consideration of vital issues such as water begins with a comprehensive, fair, and compassionate assessment and documentation.
As a non-profit organization, Circle of Blue relies on contributions, both in-kind and monetary, from multiple sources. To maintain essential trust and independence, we preserve a separation between sponsors, donors and content. While donors may choose to fund a particular aspect of a program, project, site, newsletter, or event, they participate with the understanding that their funding will not influence the content.
Circle of Blue is a member of the Institute for Nonprofit News, a community of some 475 news organizations. INN members generally follow the Code of Ethics of the Society of Professional Journalists as well as the American Press Institute’s guidance on philanthropic funding of news and those of The Trust Project.
Sponsorship
Become a Sponsor
When you become a Circle of Blue Corporate Sponsor or Advertiser, you’re investing in vital, fact-based reporting, data, and convenings on the world’s most urgent water challenges, their solutions – and all that water touches. We’re trusted by over a million readers each month.
In an era of misinformation and media saturation, Circle of Blue stands apart with deeply researched, high-quality reporting that informs decision-makers, policymakers, and engaged citizens. From in-depth investigations to data-driven interactives and live discussions and convenings, our work is recognized for its excellence and impact.
By sponsoring Circle of Blue, you connect with a highly informed, influential audience that values sustainability, innovation, and responsible leadership. Our tailored marketing opportunities offer meaningful, uncluttered visibility across our website, newsletters, and events — ensuring your brand reaches key decision-makers who rely on Circle of Blue for critical insights.
Join us in advancing informed dialogue and solutions on the global water crisis.
