Giving Compass' Take:

• Global demand for water is increasing and many people do not have access to the clean and safe water that they need. There are things that we can do to. fix this problem.

• How can water be used more efficiently in your community? Are there policy shifts that can make a difference on a larger scale?

• Clean and safe drinking water isn't guaranteed anywhere. Find out how donors can make a difference for water access in the United States.

The stats aren't great and the future looks bleak.

More than 2 billion people lack access to safely managed drinking water. Nearly as many live in "potentially severely water-scarce areas," with that number expected to rise to 3 billion by 2050. The global population and demand for water are both skyrocketing. Meanwhile, 20 percent of the world's population is expected to live in flood-prone areas by 2050, where drinking water can be contaminated.

However, there's much we can all do to tackle the problem and the time to act is now.

  1. Follow or donate to key organizations: There are a number of companies making a difference where it counts. Water.org, for example, brings safe, sanitary water to communities across the world through access to small and affordable loans. Then there's charity: water, which works with organizations on the ground to provide long-lasting water solutions where they're needed most.
  2. Invest in innovative water startups: Whether it's drinkable books that educate on safe water tips while filtering out impurities or portable smart straws, there are a number of innovative products from smart companies working on solutions to the water crisis.
  3. Bring water awareness into your own life: There a number of ways you can reduce your own water consumption and avoid unnecessary wastage.

Read the full article on the global water crisis by Tim Chester at Mashable