An online interactive experience called A Passage of Water has been created by artist Yiyun Kang in collaboration with the NASA Jet Propulsion Lab and Google Arts & Culture.

The work explores the issue of freshwater scarcity the world is facing today, unveiling the stark reality of our planet's depleting freshwater resources, while highlighting the interconnectedness of water, its impact on our lives, and the urgent need for conservation efforts.

In A Passage of Water, data from NASA is interpreted and proposals are made for the solutions, adaptations and mitigation that should be used to combat freshwater depletion. The project highlights the public availability of data from NASA's Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) mission, providing valuable insights into the world's freshwater bodies and their connection to climate change.

This collaboration is part of NASA's efforts to share its Earth science data with the public and inform decision-makers on ways to mitigate, adapt, and respond to climate change. The experience showcases the impact of human activities and climate change on water resources in places like Egypt, Pakistan, and Alaska, while also discussing the role of technology in finding solutions and securing this vital resource for the future.

“NASA studies our home planet and its interconnected systems more than any other planet in our universe,” said Karen St Germain, director of NASA’s Earth science division. “Passage of Water provides an opportunity to highlight the public availability of SWOT data and other NASA Earth science data to tell meaningful stories, improve awareness, and help everyday people who have to make real decisions in their homes, businesses, and communities.”

A digital version of A Passage of Water was released online to coincide with the United Nations’ Climate Change Conference of Parties (COP28) in Dubai. Google also hosted a physical installation of the project in the Blue Zone at COP28.