Rights, resilience, and water in turbulent times

This chapter reviews the human right to water, how it has been formulated and advanced over time, and the challenges associated with its implementation. It argues that in the face of climate change and growing turbulence, the right to water must expand to capture the voice of marginalized peoples and the more-than-human. Otherwise, a narrow view of the right to water and an increasing commodification of water will continue to cater to those with relatively more financial resources and generate social protests and discontent. The chapter calls for more research to expand the right to water, such as by incorporating legitimate Indigenous participation in water management. Furthermore, it encourages scholars of global environmental politics to develop critical research agendas that use mixed methods to yield insights into how the right to water can be implemented equitably.