Peter Gleick, Senior Fellow and co-founder of the Pacific Institute, discusses the dual role of water as both a weapon and a means for cooperation. He highlights how recent events, like the Khovka Reservoir dam explosion in Ukraine, reveal water's strategic use in warfare. With an alarming rise in water-related conflicts globally, Gleick emphasizes the urgent need for diplomatic solutions to mitigate these tensions. He also points to the environmental and humanitarian crises stemming from water scarcity and the necessity for cooperative governance to ensure future water security.

Rain is good for California, but the state was not prepared for what might be a megastorm. KQED’s Dan Brekke assesses the damage from the San Francisco Bay Area and the Pacific Institute’s Peter Gleick explains how we can be better prepared for future storms.This episode was produced by Siona Peterous and Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Matt Collette, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Efim Shapiro, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.Transcript at vox.com/todayexplainedSupport Today, Explained by making a financial contribution to Vox! bit.ly/givepodcasts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Peter Gleick, a scientist and author, discusses the concept of the water transition and envisions a sustainable future for water management. They explore the challenges faced in the second age of water including water poverty, conflicts, and climate change impact. The podcast also highlights historical figures' contributions to water treatment and the importance of addressing water poverty for public health. It emphasizes the need for collective action to manage and protect water.