Did you know that Australia is the driest inhabited continent in the world? Furthermore, its already limited and unpredictable rainfall has been made even worse by climate change. Droughts and water shortages are becoming all too common.

Now, more than ever, it is critically important to educate - and empower - the younger generation and teach them how to protect our environment. The Swarovski Waterschool program, in partnership with Earthwatch Australia, is working to achieve exactly that in the state of New South Wales.

In Australia, the Swarovski Waterschool global initiative focuses on the Parramatta River, which flows through Sydney. As is the case with many rivers that flow through urban areas, the Parramatta is plagued by storm-water pollution. Flood-water - which includes sewage and liquid waste - is another major contributor to its poor water quality. This negatively impacts not only the river’s ecosystem, but also the ocean where it eventually ends up. That is why Australia is the first participant of the Swarovski Waterschool initiative to include ocean health in its program.