The case is about what duty the federal government has in helping the Navajo, or potentially any other tribe in the Colorado River Basin to develop and eventually use its water rights. In late June, the Supreme Court released its ruling in favor of the U.S. government in a 5-4 decision. Justice Brett Kavanaugh said the 1868 peace treaty did not require the federal government to take affirmative steps to secure water for the Navajo. The court's three liberal members dissented, writing that the government had violated the terms of the treaty.
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
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