But simply declaring water
But simply declaring water to be a "basic human right" doesn't accomplish anything. Rights are only effective when they place enforceable obligations on others. Institutions with the power to deliver clean water must actually be made to do so. This creates immensely complex problems including international conflicts over watercourses and lakes, and demands for infrastructure that poor nations cannot meet. Climate change, with accompanying drought and more rapid evaporation, just makes it harder. So make sure this very big challenge is also on your list. Petroleum, phosphate, topsoil, water, seafood -- all going, going, gone because of the tragedy of privatizing the commons. We got it horribly wrong.
But simply declaring water to be a "basic human right" doesn't accomplish anything. Rights are only effective when they place enforceable obligations on others. Institutions with the power to deliver clean water must actually be made to do so. This creates immensely complex problems including international conflicts over watercourses and lakes, and demands for infrastructure that poor nations cannot meet. Climate change, with accompanying drought and more rapid evaporation, just makes it harder. So make sure this very big challenge is also on your list. Petroleum, phosphate, topsoil, water, seafood -- all going, going, gone because of the tragedy of privatizing the commons. We got it horribly wrong.