Local Water Security

Dr. Schuster-Wallace examined how environmental changes, particularly those driven by climate change, contribute to inequities, noting that shifting hydrological patterns, such as precipitation variability and glacial melt, strain both natural and human systems and affect water quality and availability. The speaker also discussed the risks associated with aging centralized water infrastructure. She pointed out the cascading economic, health, and social impacts that arose from water scarcity and the local conflicts that might emerge in such situations. The presentation emphasized the need for adaptive, collaborative water management strategies that involved cross-disciplinary cooperation, community engagement, and tailored, strengths-based policies. Received: 10-05-2024 Revised: 10-22-2024