Episode #207
Ep. 207 - Solving our Water Crisis: A Conversation About Where the Water Goes by David Owen
Catherine Alonzo is joined by Central Arizona Water Conservation District board member Heather Macre to explore the people, policies, and competing needs shaping the future of the Colorado River and water in the American West. Water policy can feel technical and far removed from everyday life, but the decisions being made today affect millions of people, communities, businesses, ecosystems, and future generations. Through a discussion inspired by David Owen's seminal book Where the Water Goes, Catherine and Heather unpack what it takes to make difficult decisions around a shared resource and why curiosity, collaboration, and a willingness to consider different perspectives are essential to creating lasting change. In this episode, you'll learn: Why the Colorado River is a deeply interconnected system where states, cities, farmers, tribes, communities, and ecosystems all have legitimate and sometimes competing needs How water policy in the West has evolved over the past decade, from prolonged drought and Colorado River negotiations to broader stakeholder participation and new approaches to water management Why individual water conservation is only one piece of the puzzle, and how choices around energy, food, consumption, reuse, and public policy can have a much bigger relationship to water than many people realize This episode is for anyone who wants to better understand where their water comes from, how complex policy decisions get made, and what it takes to create progress when there is no simple solution. Like, comment, and subscribe for more insights on changemaking. Listen on your favorite podcast platform or watch on YouTube now!
