The Challenge: Students were tasked with solving the large and complex problems necessary to ensure the availability of clean, fresh water in the next century.
Background: Surface water and ground water reserves are being contaminated and over-utilized. International agreements concerning water use are often out-dated and based on inaccurate projections of populations and water use. When projections of global warming and climate change are considered, it is clear we are in severe crisis. Climate models predict that major shifts in rainfall and climate will occur over the next century that will impact water agreements between countries with the potential of triggering major international disputes, if not war. Solving this problem is essential for global political and economic stability and social justice of all people.