How We Survive: The Worth of Water

The Colorado River is the lifeblood of the American West. Millions of people rely on it to live. But we’re using more water than the river has to give and it’s already lost trillions of gallons to rising temperatures. Meanwhile rampant growth and water-intensive farming have depleted groundwater supplies.

In a station special adapted from Marketplace’s award-winning podcast “How We Survive,” host Amy Scott visits places across the West that must fundamentally rethink how water is divided up and used.

Over the course of an hour, we’ll meet a couple scrambling to find an affordable water supply amidst a worsening drought and making the most of every drop. We’ll look at some of the tech innovations that could help us find a way out of the water crisis—which include looking to the ocean, the sewer and even the sky to produce drinking water. And finally, we’ll look at a growing movement, rooted in Indigenous values, to give nature—rivers, fish, crops and trees—the same rights as people, and what that might mean for the future of the Colorado River.

• About the show

Hosts

Amy Scott
Amy has been a reporter at Marketplace for over 20 years, exploring the ways the economy works (or doesn’t) for so many of us. In recent years, she’s focused more specifically on the housing crisis. Using an economic and housing lens she explores how climate change will impact where and how we live.

Length

One hour

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ContentDepot File Transfer

Promo spot available: March 18, 2024
Program rundown available: March 29, 2024
Date content will be available: April 1, 2024

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Broadcast Window

April 1, 2024 - June 30, 2024

Broadcast Rights

Affiliate stations may carry this program multiple times before July 1, 2024. The program must be carried in its entirety. No excerpting is permitted. Simulcast streaming rights are available for this program. Prior to carrying this program, stations must contact their American Public Media Station Relations Representative.