Are business practices intensifying water scarcity?

Climate change has put a spotlight on our relationship with natural resources, especially water. The growing global water deficit is likely to have devastating consequences - destabilising economies, and driving displacement and political upheaval. In many parts of the world, water scarcity is being intensified by companies. 

Why has water been increasingly treated as a commodity? What needs to change to avert the water crisis? How can responsible water management become the norm?

IHRB's Salil Tripathi speaks to Peter Waldman, a senior reporter at Bloomberg Businessweek, and to Ravi Mariwala, the Founder and Chief Executive of an Indian water management company called Smaart Water. Peter has been documenting growing global tensions around access to water, whilst Ravi’s company provides sustainable and safe water services for businesses, governments, and consumers.   

Together they discuss the impact of commodifying water; how small farmers and local communities are campaigning for greater access to water in Senegal, Australia and California; and what responsible and sustainable water management looks like in practice.

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Host: Deborah Sagoe, IHRB's Communications Coordinator
Producer & Editor: Helen Brown
Additional Contributors: Sam Simmons, IHRB's Head of Communications