New GSI Report - Global Water Futures: A Roadmap for Future U.S. Policy

Yesterday, GSI launched its latest report on Global Water Futures with a gathering in the Capitol of some of the most outspoken and knowledgeable proponents of a revamped U.S.  international water policy.  Circle of Blue has a great article on the report, highlighting some of the current water problems and proposed solutions.  The release of the report is a watershed moment (pun intended) in global water policy because it acknowledges a growing consensus in Washington that water scarcity is not only a humanitarian threat but also a matter of national and international security.

For example, according to the OECD, by 2030 nearly half of the global population will be living under severe water stress if no new policies are introduced.  Accordingly, in this report CSIS advocates for the creation of a new Bureau for International Water Policy within the Office of the Under Secretary for Democracy and Global Affairs at the U.S. State Department.  The new bureau would be charged with planning water programs, mobilizing resources to support these programs, and conducting research on the global water situation.

The report elaborates on steps the U.S. government needs to take to prepare for the future, but I don’t want to give away the ending, so be sure to check out the report for yourself. Also, don’t forget to check out the video on Circle of Blue’s website featuring our very own Erik Peterson, Director of the Global Strategy Institute, discussing the role of water in U.S. foreign policy.