The Global Freshwater Initiative will develop implementable strategies to promote the long-term viability of freshwater supplies for people and ecosystems threatened by climate change, shifts in land use, increasing population, and decaying infrastructure.

Changes in human and natural systems will drive serious threats to freshwater resources in the 21st century. An overarching challenge will be to create water systems that can sustain human well-being and natural ecosystems in the presence of rapid environmental and socio-economic change. Solutions are likely to rely on modern engineering and information technologies combined with effective planning, policies, and institutions.

In the selected set of regional investigations, Stanford researchers and local collaborators will:

1. Generate a set of policy evaluation models developed in conjunction with each regional investigation
2. Provide targeted analyses of viable policy interventions aimed at achieving freshwater sustainability
3. Train the next generation of water resource experts

This project builds upon research already conducted on water supplies in Chennai, India, and Yaqui Valley, Mexico.

Learn more about the Global Freshwater Initiative…

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Principal Investigator:

Steven Gorelick, Environmental Earth System Science

Co-Investigators:

Scott Fendorf, Environmental Earth Systems Science and Woods Institute

Scott Rozelle, Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies and Woods Institute

Barton Thompson, Jr., School of Law and Woods Institute

Global Freshwater Initiative

» Research Plan (pdf)

» Hydrogeology and Water Resources
    Program