This perspective paper in Nature Sustainability reframes responses to mitigating the world’s water crises using a ‘beyond growth’ framing. Beyond growth is systems thinking that prioritizes the most disadvantaged. It seeks to decouple economic growth from environmental degradation by overcoming policy capture and inertia and by fostering place-based and justice-principled institutional changes.
Published Article
Unpacking the progression of climate uncertainty into precarity in the urban context of drylands: the case of floods in Lodwar, Turkana
Climate uncertainty has always existed both as a socio-ecological reality for pastoralists living with climate variability in drylands and as a component within climate modelling. Despite this, there is little consideration as to the experiences of poor people in the urban drylands living with intensified hazards. In response, this paper discusses an emerging conceptual nexus of uncertainty and precarity, using the example of flood disaster governance in Lodwar, Kenya.
Assessing flooding extent and potential exposure to river pollution from urbanizing peripheral rivers within Greater Dhaka watershed
This study looked into the water quality and flooding situation of Greater Dhaka for two successive monsoons through extensive river sampling coupled with the estimation of flooded area and exposed population using remote sensing tools.
Climate–water crises: critically engaging relational, spatial, and temporal dimensions
This paper examines the political nature of water crisis discourses and their influence on responses to water and climate challenges. It argues that crisis definitions are not universally agreed upon but are shaped by authority, legitimacy, and the ability to mobilize resources.
Water–Energy Nexus-Based Optimization of the Water Supply Infrastructure in a Dryland Urban Setting
Managing water supply systems is essential for developing countries to face climate variability in dryland settings. However, high energy costs from pumping, water loss due to aging infrastructure, and increased demand from population growth can exacerbate this challenge. In response, this study proposes a methodology that optimizes a Water Distribution Network (WDN) and its management, within the dryland urban setting of Lodwar, Kenya. The findings highlight the potential of WEN-based solutions to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of data-scarce water utilities in dryland ecosystems.
Addressing intrahousehold dynamics, power and decision-making in household water portfolios
This paper aims to understand intrahousehold power dynamics and how these shape decisions around water collection and allocation. Social norms, property rights and water infrastructure all influence household members’ bargaining power and shape the context within which household decisions are made. Analysis of intrahousehold dynamics needs to go beyond considering dynamics between spouses, instead also considering others who also contribute to water collection and usage.
Can solar water kiosks generate sustainable revenue streams for rural water services?
This study explores how upgrading water supply infrastructure influences user behaviour in rural Mali by modelling changes in revenue and volumetric water use when handpumps are upgraded to solar kiosks. Average monthly revenue is four times higher with solar kiosks, whilst payment collections increased and remained stable after upgrading handpumps to solar kiosks.
GIS-based multi-criteria decision analysis model for utility water demand: The case of Lodwar Municipality, Turkana County, Kenya
Water shortage affects every continent and is listed as one of the largest global risks hence the need for proper management of water resources. Municipalities and cities worldwide are struggling to meet increasing demand for water amid rapid urbanization, increasing population growth, industrial development and expansion of human activities. This study used Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques and Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) to develop a decision support model that can be applied to improve the utility water demand management for the Lodwar Municipality in Turkana Kenya. The results can help water utility managers and decision makers highlight suitable areas for network expansion as well as infrastructure management planning within the municipality.
Four billion people lack safe water
It is estimated that four billion people worldwide lack safe drinking water – double the number of people estimated in 2020. The new estimate by Esther Greenwood and colleagues published in Science Magazine is accompanied by a Perspective piece by REACH Director Rob Hope.
Resolving the Turkana Jet—Impact of Model Resolution in Simulating Channel Flow and Inversions
The Turkana Jet plays a pivotal role in the meteorology of East Africa and owes its existence to both large-scale dynamics and the representation of intricate local-scale processes. However, much of our understanding of the jet relies on reanalysis, and these along with climate models that produce important projections do not represent these local-scale processes. This study systematically investigates the impact of changing model horizontal and vertical resolution in simulating the Turkana Jet, and associated local and large-scale processes.
