Project on Water Security

Improving coherence between U.S. global food security and U.S. global water security policy and programming.

With data-driven research and analysis, the CSIS Project on Water Security presents comprehensive policy solutions to the challenges water insecurity poses to U.S. geopolitical and economic interests, with a special focus on the relationship between global food security and global water security. The CSIS Project on Water Security is supported with the generosity of CSIS Trustee Henrietta Fore and builds upon years of world-class research from CSIS’s Global Food Security Program.

CSIS Project on Water Security Steering Committee Members

Troy Benavidez, LIXIL International
Kate Brauman, Global Water Security Center
Marcela Chacon, Bayer
James Dalton, International Union for Conservation of Nature
Henrietta Fore, UNICEF
J. Carl Ganter, Circle of Blue
Franck Gbaguidi, Eurasia Group
Peter Gleick, Pacific Institute
Hank Habicht III, Water Finance Exchange
Charles Iceland, World Resources Institute
Saroj Khumar Jha, World Bank Group
Saadia Madsbjerg, Formerly Coca-Cola Foundation
Jeff Malcolm, World Wildlife Fund
Elizabeth Marcey, WaterAid America
Peter McCornick, University of Nebraska
Tanvi Nagpal, Tetra Tech
Chuck Podolak, Water Infrastructure Finance Authority of Arizona
William Reilly, World Wildlife Fund (Emeritus)
Shaolei Ren, University of California, Riverside
Claudia Ringler, International Food Policy Research Institute
Claudia Sadoff, Formerly CGIAR
Aaron Salzberg, University of North Carolina, Water Institute
Jeff Seabright, Systemiq Ltd.
Kinya Seto, LIXIL International
Thomas Shannon Jr., Arnold & Porter
Lauren Post Thomas, Conrad N. Hilton Foundation
Lars Thunell, Spowdi AB
Sera Young, Northwestern University

Featured

Photo: ROMEO GACAD/AFP via Getty Images

Photo: ROMEO GACAD/AFP via Getty Images

What Causes Water Conflict?

Growing water demands, mounting environmental stresses, and poor management practices increasingly strain global water supplies. Violent conflicts over access to and control of water systems are rapidly rising as competing users assert their claims to vital resources.

Commentary by David Michel — November 8, 2024

All Project on Water Security Content

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Ocean Warming: A Livelihood Threat to Ghana’s Coastal Fishers

Ocean warming has made the collapse of Ghana’s fisheries virtually inevitable, and overfishing by foreign and local fishers contributes to the problem. CSIS-affiliated experts share insights on transitioning Ghana’s coastal fishing communities to alternate livelihoods. 

Commentary by Emmanuel Akyeampong, John M. Kusimi, and Robert Paarlberg — October 8, 2024

No City Is an Island: Urban Water Security, Infrastructure, and Resilience

Cities are thirsty places. But rising demand and growing environmental pressures increasingly strain urban water supplies. By 2050, half the world’s big cities will face water scarcity. Cities worldwide must develop strategies to strengthen sustainable water systems.

Commentary by David Michel — June 3, 2024

Living the Global Water Crisis

Join the CSIS Global Food and Water Security Program to discuss the themes of this year’s World Water Day and the tools that researchers and decisionmakers are using to bring human voices to the growing risks to global water security. Featuring Dr. Sera Young.

Event — March 22, 2024

Troubling Waters: Understanding Global Water Security

As the ramifications of the global water crisis grow in scope and severity, understanding the manifold and devastating consequences of water insecurity—in all its forms—is increasingly critical to safeguarding the lives and livelihoods of billions around the world.

Digital Report by Zane Swanson and Sarah Grace — February 12, 2024

The Siege of Gaza’s Water

The siege on Gaza is crippling the territory’s water systems. Clean water and sanitation are unavailable for most, threatening a public health disaster. Improving water access is critical to preventing further loss of life and livelihoods and to rebuilding a secure future.

Commentary by Natasha Hall, Anita Kirschenbaum, and David Michel — January 12, 2024

Water and Global Climate Action at COP28

Water represents the tip of the spear of mounting global climate change impacts through worsening floods, droughts, and storms. COP28 called on countries to strengthen adaptation strategies for water security. Policymakers must now turn exhortations into concrete action.

Commentary by David Michel — December 20, 2023

Reviewing COP28 Outcomes for Food Security

Please join the Global Food and Water Security Program for a conversation on COP28 outcomes and the importance of investing in small-scale producers to support global food security, featuring U.S. Special Envoy for Global Food Security and high-level representatives from IFAD and the philanthropic community.

Event — December 18, 2023

No Easy Solutions: Understanding the Scale of the Humanitarian Crisis in Haiti

This CQ examines how security conditions in Haiti have deteriorated into a complex humanitarian crisis, and why it’s vital that local and international actors find ways to support the millions of Haitians suffering from violence, disease, and food and water insecurity.

Critical Questions by Tanvi Nagpal — December 12, 2023