Water shortages are often considered a common challenge for developing countries. But this past week has been an example of just how critical global water security is becoming for all nations around the world. In Italy, Rome is in a desperate situation, facing extreme water shortages and the consequences of a devastating drought. This weekend, more than one-third of the city’s residents could begin having their water shut off for nearly 8 hours every day. In addition to rati

A few days ago, I had the chance to see an IMAX movie that reminded me of the critical importance of water: “A Beautiful Planet.” This documentary has been “made in cooperation with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)” and it “features stunning footage of our magnificent blue planet […] captured by the astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS).” While I went to the theater with a few friends just to relax and have a good time, the experience

The FAO reported that Lake Chad water levels have fallen to historically low levels since 1960. While this fall is linked, in part, to changes in weather and precipitation frequency, it is also due to poor management stemming from regional conflict. Poor irrigation practices and other mismanagement have caused the water levels to drop 90% since 1960. Photo: Espen Røst / Bistandsaktuelt – newspaper on aid and development (via Flickr) While the region has adapted in part to t

This article at the New Yorker by Jeremy Miller notes that the threats to California's water are still many and varied. This article highlights the importance of continuing to be vigilant in watching over our water resources. But this article also highlights the dangers of drought mismanagement: the systemic depletion of groundwater through unsustainable withdrawals, primarily for agriculture. As the CWSC noted in its first paper on the Water Security Challenge, one impact