The Politics of Water Scarcity

Clean water is something we take for granted. It’s there when we turn on our taps to fill a glass, take a shower, or wash our hands. But for many of the world’s citizens, water is a precious commodity. Many don’t have access to clean water. Others must use the same water for drinking, cooking, and cleaning. Is access to clean water a human right? Should water be provided by governments or private entities? Will water become a commodity of the rich? And how are our environmental practices affecting the world’s supply of water?