As part of J.P. Morgan’s Summer Reading List, acclaimed actor Matt Damon and water expert Gary White of Water.org sit down to discuss, “The Worth of Water,” which shares their mission to end the global water crisis. The book was selected as this year’s Anniversary Spotlight, highlighting the 225th anniversary of our earliest predecessor, a water works company founded in 1799. https://bit.ly/4cEx7m5
Before we get into how the two of you got connected, there's so many fascinating stats in this book. Can you just level set for people? How big is this water crisis? It's, it's, it's kind of mind boggling, actually. There are 2.2 billion people on the planet who are not able to access a safe drink of water consistently. And that is about one out of four people, which is, again, it's kind of the first hurdle we have to clear when we talk about this because people can't believe it. You know, if you grew up in the, in the, in the West, you've probably never really been thirsty, let alone considered that you would have to organize your entire day around trying to find a safe water source. I started thinking about how I could get involved. So I could make a difference. And I very quickly learned that, you know, this is a vastly complex issue. And so I wanted to partner with the very best person that I could in the space. And when that person wouldn't take my call, I ended up with Gary. So that's actually, that's interesting. So when did you actually meet Matt Gary? The first time we met was actually at the Clinton Global Initiative in, in 2008. And you know, Matt had created an organization called H2O Africa and I cofounded Water Partners. But it just seemed like there was so much in common with what we were doing. And we brought, I think, some complementary kind of skill sets to this issue. You know, the engineering side, of course, and then Matt being able to has three engineering degrees. I can do monologues. We complement each other perfectly.
Around the world, millions of people are living without safe water, and billions without sanitation. Your business can help change this. Learn more. https://lnkd.in/dnSj9AX
Today, families living in poverty require sustainable, affordable access to safe water and sanitation to protect their health. Give to Water.org and empower people in need with safe water and toilets at home and the resilience they bring. Water.org/givewaterli
We address the significant capital barrier that stands in the way of universal access to safe water through a financial approach. By tapping global capital markets to attract greater resources we help enable household-level loans for water and sanitation. Here’s more on how we work to help close the financial gap that currently stands in the way of people getting access to the safe water and sanitation they need: https://lnkd.in/dnjVqav
For millions of women, the struggle to give their families water is a personal, everyday battle. They are responsible for finding this resource their families need to survive. On #NationalWomensEqualityDay give to Water.org and help empower women with lasting access to safe water at home and the hope and opportunity that flow from it. Water.org/givewaterli
Without access to safe water, water-related illnesses often keep children out of school. Access to safe water and sanitation is critical to the development of a healthy child and foundational to the education of children around the world. You can help by donating today at Water.org/givewaterli
People who lack access to safe water and sanitation at home know what solutions they need. They need a little financial help to access those solutions, and our approach makes that possible. https://lnkd.in/dHxxPTF
Access to small, affordable loans is the solution to empowering families in Cambodia with safe water and sanitation at home. See how a small, affordable loan gave Hoeun’s family the health and hope that flow from safe water. https://lnkd.in/gb2Ffb66
Big or small, multinational or locally-owned — your business can empower families around the world with safe water. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/dnSj9AX
One small loan for a water connection or toilet can empower a woman to transform her life and define her future. On #WorldEntrepreneursDay, celebrate the stories of entrepreneurs like Selamah who, with access to safe water at home, can now effectively run her produce stand in Indonesia. #twentyfirstaugustWater.org/givewaterli
Fintech Investor & Non Executive Director
1moSuch a great initiative