CLIMATE ONE: Thirst Trap: When Big Cities Run Dry

Commonwealth Club of California Podcast

This week we take a trip to Mexico, a petrostate that just elected climate scientist Claudia Sheinbaum as its next president. She’s also the former mayor of Mexico City, the largest city in North America, which has been going through a major water crisis due to climate change. It’s at risk of running out of water — and it has been for a long time. In fact, much of the country is coping with drought and heat waves exacerbated by climate change.

Christine Colvin, a hydrogeologist with WWF International, was in Cape Town, South Africa, at the height of a recent megadrought. The city was approaching Day Zero, when it would not be able to supply water to residents. Colvin says that of all the ways climate disruption impacts our lives, the most critical may be to our relationship with water.

"If the climate crisis is a shark, then water are its teeth. This is the thing that’s really going to bite us first and hardest."

Guests:

Oscar Ocampo, Coordinator for Energy and Environment, Mexican Institute of Competitiveness

Christine Colvin, Water Policy Lead, WWF International

Climate One has three exciting live shows on the calendar, featuring live conversations with Tom Steyer, Jane Goodall, and Justin Pearson. Tickets are on sale now.

Support Climate One by going ad-free! By subscribing to Climate One on Patreon, you’ll receive exclusive access to all future episodes free of ads, opportunities to connect with fellow Climate One listeners and access to the Climate One Discord. Sign up today for just $5/month.

For show notes and related links, visit our website.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices