Clutching at drops

© Mustafah Abdulaziz

Drinking water sources are drying up, and the global demand for water continues to rise. Conflicts have flared up over this rare commodity. But solutions are also emerging. Horizons asks how research can help in this dilemma.

Groundwater and glaciers once provided a seemingly endless flow of water. Now they are starting to trickle. At the same time, droughts are devastating entire regions. Globally, there is an increasing shortage of the planet's elixir of life. Horizons brings together stories surrounding the precious liquid. It looks at how hostile states are finding compromises on the issue of water and along which of the world’s rivers there are the most treaties regulating its use. It explores the measures that the canton of Aargau and villages in Graubünden are taking to ensure that agriculture and households do not die of thirst in the future. This issue also presents six technologies that aim to preserve the blue gold for everyone.

What's more, autumn is the season of science awards. Horizons has prepared a small potpourri of awards to mark the occasion.

Other highlights include rusty keys to the past, the fate of planet Earth over millions of years and a level-headed analysis of the various definitions of antisemitism.

The current issue of Horizons is as diverse as the research itself – and, as always, freely accessible to all.