#120: Innovative Solutions for Global Water Challenges with Brian Richter

Jul 29, 2025

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In this episode of Earthlings 2.0, we’re joined by Brian Richter, president of Sustainable Waters and author of Chasing Water, for a deep and wide-ranging conversation about global water scarcity, climate-driven drought, and the politics of sharing a resource none of us can live without. From Cape Town’s infamous Day Zero to water truck deliveries in Arizona suburbs, Brian explains how water shortages evolve, why they’re getting worse, and what we can do to prepare for a more water-stressed future. The conversation explores cutting-edge innovations in wastewater reuse and desalination, the surprising economics of water efficiency, and how embracing “local water democracy” can help us share and safeguard this life-sustaining resource

Key Points:

Local Water Democracy Can Drive Smarter Solutions: From Texas to New Mexico’s Acequia communities, involving citizens in water decisions could lead to more sustainable choices.
703 Million People Lack Access to Clean Water: That’s 1 in 10 people worldwide — a statistic that reframes how urgent and widespread water access issues truly are.
We Can Grow and Still Use Less Water: Cities in the Colorado River Basin increased population by 24% while cutting water use by 18%, showing what’s possible with smart management.
Brian Richter, President of Sustainable Waters
LinkedIn
Chasing Water
Opportunities for Restoring Environmental Flows in the Rio Grande–Rio Bravo Basin Spanning the US–Mexico Border

Lisa Ann Pinkerton, Earthlings 2.0 Host, CEO of Technica Communications, and Founder of Women in Cleantech and Sustainability, LinkedIn

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