30 November 2009
As the world debates climate change the National Museum of Australia will present an in-depth look at the planet's most precious natural resource — water.
This exhibition Water: H2O = Life illuminates some of the many challenges related to humanity's sustainable management and use of the life-giving, but finite, resource — water. It explores the many ways that water shapes life on Earth and makes our planet livable and also suggests actions people can take to help preserve our planet's water.
More than 60 objects and models from the American Museum of Natural History highlight diverse cultural and spiritual aspects of water; including the role water has played in the rise of civilisations around the world. Throughout the exhibition, visitors are challenged to reconsider the way they view water — to see it not as a limitless resource to be taken for granted, but as the finite and precious resource it truly is.
Water: H2O = Life is organised by the American Museum of Natural History, New York and the Science Museum of Minnesota, St. Paul, in collaboration with Great Lakes Science Center, Cleveland; The Field Museum, Chicago; Instituto Sangari, São Paulo, Brazil; National Museum of Australia, Canberra; Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, Canada; San Diego Natural History Museum; and Science Centre Singapore with PUB Singapore.
The National Museum of Australia has included an Australian component to the exhibition. This unique component will look at how birds, plants and animals have adapted to the driest inhabited continent, how Indigenous people have related to water, and how Australia has developed its water resources. It will also look closely at the many problems in regard to water, one of the biggest issues now confronting Australians.
Admission charges apply: $10 per adult, $5 per child, $8 per concession and $22 per family.
Water: H2O = Life is on display at the National Museum of Australia from December 3, 2009 to May 16, 2010. For more information about the exhibition visit www.nma.gov.au/exhibitions
For interviews, images and more information please contact Dennis Grant on 02 6208 5351, 0409 916 481; Caroline Vero on 02 6208 5338, 0438 620 710 or media@nma.gov.au