By Dean R. Thompson

“Here, life depends on the changing of the tides…” I heard that refrain echoed several times during a recent excursion to the magnificent Sunderbans, my first visit to this region, which invoked a sense of wonder and appreciation for the power of nature. Looking out from a boat traveling through one of the many waterways, I gained a deep respect for the populations that inhabit the area-both human and wildlife-who adapt their lives to the rise and fall of the tide, and who are faced with significant environmental challenges that affect their homes and livelihoods.

I cannot think of a more apt place to recognize the importance of water, and to celebrate protection and conservations efforts. On this occasion of World Water Day 2013, I think we can all reflect on the role water plays in our lives and consider what might happen if we, as humans around the globe, do not act to conserve our environment. Water is fundamental to maintaining peace, security, and prosperity. Water sustains life, and when managed well, it allows our economies to thrive, our children to grow up healthy, and can build peace and cooperation among neighbors. Climate change will have a profound impact on the availability, distribution, and quality of water. It will tax infrastructure and natural systems for managing water resources. Floods, droughts, and other extreme weather events are projected to become more frequent and severe-in other words, wet areas will become wetter and dry areas will become dryer.

The Sunderbans has already witnessed these effects. The devastation Cyclone Alia brought to the region in 2009 is still being felt today, particularly in the most vulnerable of areas along the thousands of kilometers of embankments that line the area’s waterways. I had the opportunity to speak with an inspiring community of women in Moukhali Village, Amtoli Island, who told me that agriculture production in the region is just now resuming; it has been poor or impossible since the storm surge pushed salt water into the fields and crops could not grow in the salinated soil. Most of the women’s husbands had become “climate refugees,” forced to leave the village to seek work either in Kolkata or other large cities, and the women were left to take care of their home and family, while finding alternative livelihoods.

It is here that we can champion the work of local groups creating solutions for communities such as the Moukhali Village that help to both mitigate the effects of climate change and provide economic opportunities. Groups such as the Nature Environment and Wildlife Society (NEWS), which has trained over 280 women to raise and plant mangrove saplings along the embankments, essential to hold mud in place and prevent flooding and erosion. 300,000 saplings have been planted just in the past several months, an impressive feat and one that will go a long way to protecting the most vulnerable land in the project’s area. I know there are many organizations conducting noteworthy ventures throughout the region.

Rebuilding and protecting the region’s natural ecosystem through projects like this is critical. Healthy ecosystems provide a variety of services and benefits that would cost far more to provide through man-made infrastructure. Degradation of natural ecosystems reduces the ability of the environment to provide natural filtration, aquifer replenishment, and flood and drought mitigation.

The impact of conservation efforts can be seen in the famous Sunderbans Tiger Reserve, home to some of the world’s most beautiful and mysterious creatures. The forest there, preserved as an UNESCO World Heritage Site, acts as the areas “lungs” and “kidneys,” by absorbing carbon from the air and providing natural filtration and cleansing of the surrounding water. I was equally impressed with wildlife conservation efforts there, and commend the efforts against tiger poaching in the Reserve over the last decade, a reflection of cooperation between the government and NGOs with the local community to promote awareness.

It is easy to feel small when traveling through the vast expanse of the Sunderbans. I was only able to see a tiny portion of the region, but gained an immense understanding of the way of life here, including the challenges and benefits of living in a serene, but vulnerable environment. Heading back to shore, the sunset reflecting in the water and the breeze cooling off the heat of the day, I thought of ways we can all be active in ensuring water security in the coming years-raising awareness being perhaps the most accessible and productive across all communities. It is not just about coastal areas like the Sunderbans, but also places to closer to home. For example, I have seen firsthand the ongoing work to protect the East Kolkata Wetlands, vital to sustaining the city and its surrounding area. The United States is committed to promoting water security around the world, to ensure the development and sustainability of treasured regions like the Sunderbans, and our cities alike, for generations to come.

(The writer is U.S. Consul General Kolkata. Follow him on twitter: @deanthompson)