Water is the lifeblood of our planet, yet it's under increasing pressure.
Mina Guli Podcast: Exploring the power of water
In the Allianz Water Expert Podcast, Mina Guli, an Australian ultra-runner and passionate water advocate, shares her compelling journey from growing up in drought-stricken Australia to founding the Thirst Foundation and launching the Run Blue campaign.
The episode delves into the pressing global water challenges, highlighting the critical imbalance between rising demand and fixed supply, exacerbated by climate change and pollution. Mina emphasizes the importance of advocacy, urging governments, businesses, and communities to engage in sustainable water solutions. She shares inspiring stories from affected communities and underscores the role of young people in driving water conservation efforts.
The podcast also offers practical tips for individuals to conserve water at home and explores innovative solutions for water efficiency in agriculture and manufacturing. Mina's personal encounters and experiences enrich the discussion, providing a hopeful outlook on collaborative efforts to address the global water crisis.
Mina Guli – Water Conservation Expert & Global Water Crisis Advocate
Mina Guli is an Australian ultra-runner and CEO of the Thirst Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to raising awareness of the global water crisis. She has run hundreds of marathons across the world’s most water-stressed regions to spotlight water scarcity and created initiatives like the Run Blue campaign to inspire global action on the global water crisis. A passionate speaker and advocate, Mina works with governments, businesses, and communities to promote sustainable water use and the impact of everyday habits on water conservation.
FAQ: What to consider about the global water crisis
Water demand is rising at twice the rate of population growth due to agriculture, industry, and urbanisation. Meanwhile, usable freshwater is shrinking because of climate change, pollution, and poor management. By 2030, demand could outstrip supply by 40%.
Households only use less than 10% of global freshwater. The biggest opportunities for savings come from agriculture (70% of use) and industry (20%). That said, everyday choices at home — reducing food waste, taking shorter showers, reusing clothes — still play a vital role.
Simple, community-driven actions often have the greatest impact: farmers reducing water use through shared knowledge, communities protecting rivers like the Vjosa in Albania, or women in Kenya using water tanks to restore livelihoods.
Governments and companies are the largest water users. Policies, farming practices, industrial systems, and corporate supply chains need to change. Advocacy ensures water is prioritised at the highest levels and drives systemic solutions.
Three easy steps:
- Take shorter showers and turn off taps.
- Reuse clothing and recycle where possible (one T-shirt = two hours of shower water).
- Reduce food waste by planning meals and eating what you buy. Plus, support companies with responsible water practices — every purchase is a vote for the future.
- Water comes from ecosystems, not just taps.
- We can achieve hard things when we work together.
- Whatever you “run” — your family, company, or life — put water at the centre of your choices.
Allianz Water Hub
Check out the new Allianz Water Hub to discover importance of water security and conservation and how to protect and improve your own water supply for your family, business and own personal health