Paths Forward

The fate of rivers is being decided right now. Three approaches are gaining ground:

• Dam removal — old dams that make little power but cause big ecological harm are coming down across the US and Europe, with fast recovery.
• Water pricing — charging the real cost of water curbs waste; farming uses most of the world's freshwater, much of it carelessly.
• Nature-based fixes — restoring wetlands and forests holds back floods and cleans the water for free.