Arizona just announced it's going to stop developers from building some new subdivisions around Phoenix because the state has determined there is not enough groundwater to support it. We're running up against absolute limits to how much water is available to us, he says. "We've always assumed that we could develop wherever we want it and whatever we wanted"
No elemental force has done more to shape life on this planet than water, from originating the earliest forms of life, to sculpting our landscapes, to determining patterns of human civilization. Humans have tried to control water for thousands of years, and access to this precious resource has caused conflict and also unlikely partnerships. In an era defined by climate disruption, the control, access, and quality of water will continue to determine our ability to survive and thrive. How can we ensure a future where clean water exists for all who need it – including the ecosystems we depend on – and navigate the challenges of too little or too much?
Guests:
Peter Gleick, co-founder, The Pacific Institute; author, “The Three Ages of Water”
Contributor: Luke Runyon, Managing Editor & Reporter, Colorado River Basin, KUNC Radio
For show notes and related links, visit https://www.climateone.org/watch-and-listen/podcasts
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices