The United States and Mexico are among many countries in the Americas that share water resources. Waters that form in or flow though one country are vital to livelihoods in another. For example, Syria is most unhappy with Turkey's GAP project, which plans to dam the Euphrates and Tigris Rivers that flow downstream to Syria and Iraq. Meanwhile, troubled Sudan controls much of the water that flows into Egypt's Aswan High Dam on the Nile River. Regional water forums help facilitate discussion about responsible management, but ultimately it is up to water users to decide how to use available water equitably and efficiently.

What advice would you give to policy makers trying to negotiate a possible new treaty between two countries of your choice (such as the U.S. and Mexico) regarding water rights?

Desalinating (removing salt from) water from seas and rivers would provide more water to countries in need. Israel is a leader in desalinization technology and in techniques to irrigate crops more efficiently using less water.

Should countries politically opposed to Israel be required to work cooperatively with it to implement these technologies?

The Aral Sea in Central Asia is a tragic example of long-term environmental mismanagement. Yet, other water sources may be more easily reclaimed and coaxed back to health, such as Lake Erie in North America. International cooperation and individual action made a great difference in cleaning up Lake Erie.

Please identify the major water source in your area. What is being done to degrade (pollute or overuse) and to remediate (clean up or minimize damage to) this water source?