Managing Water for People and Nature

Abstract

Growing water scarcity and rapid declines in aquatic biodiversity indicate water policies are failing to protect life9s most vital resource. A major reason for growing water scarcity and freshwater ecosystem decline is that water is undervalued the world over. In this Policy Forum, the authors recommend equitable market-oriented mechanisms, including realistic pricing, integrating watershed protection costs into water prices, and charging polluters for their effluents. Science plays an essential role in providing information needed to make these mechanisms work effectively.