What they do
WRI is a global research organization working on environment and development challenges across food, forests, water, energy, and climate. They operate Global Forest Watch (satellite deforestation monitoring used by 4M+ people), Aqueduct (water risk mapping), Climate Watch (emissions data), and Resource Watch (planetary data). Over 1,700 staff across 12 global offices.
Why they matter
WRI's open data platforms are the infrastructure underlying much of global environmental monitoring. When a journalist reports on deforestation in the Amazon, they are probably using Global Forest Watch data. When a corporation assesses water risk in their supply chain, they are probably using Aqueduct. WRI builds the tools that make environmental accountability possible at global scale. Their research directly influences policy: their analysis is cited in national climate plans, corporate sustainability reports, and UN negotiations.
How to support
Access their free platforms (Global Forest Watch, Aqueduct, Climate Watch) for research and monitoring. Cite their data in advocacy and reporting. Donations fund platform development and open data infrastructure.
Key project to explore
Global Forest Watch provides near-real-time satellite monitoring of deforestation across the tropics, with weekly GLAD alerts at 30-meter resolution used by 4M+ people including governments, journalists, and enforcement agencies.