ABSTRACT
The international community will have to embrace the values of water commons, water stewardship, water equality, water universality, and water peace. This chapter outlines ten principles of a new water ethic, as a starting point for dialogue and action that lead to renewal. The first five principles are: water belongs to the earth and to all species; water should be left where it is whenever possible; water must be conserved for all time; polluted water must be reclaimed; and water is best protected in natural watersheds. The remaining five principles are: water is a public trust, to be guarded by all levels of government; access to an adequate supply of clean water is a basic human right; the best advocates for water are local communities and citizens; the public must participate as an equal partner with government to protect water; and economic globalization policies are not water-sustainable.
