GEF

Unit 1  |  Why Water Matters 34 Understanding water’s web of influence is critical to developing suc- cessful and sustainable water systems. 1.7  Unit Review ■■ Many people don’t think about water very much, but it is essential to our lives. ■■ Water is an indispensable resource that has played a vital role in human civilization throughout history. ■■ In many developing countries, access to clean water is a daily struggle. In contrast, many developed countries use vast amounts of water, often wastefully. ■■ A global water crisis is emerging in which population growth, increased consumption, and climate change are putting unsustainable demands on water resources and aquatic ecosystems in many parts of the world. ■■ A more sustainable approach to water resources is emerg- ing, prioritizing decentralization, the valuation of natural systems, and community water management.