Reports on the state of the world’s freshwater ecosystems sound a single refrain: humanity is facing a water crisis.

Researchers project that by 2030 the demand for water could outstrip supply by 40 percent . And severe floods and droughts caused by climate change are only exacerbating the problem.

Although climate change and the water crisis are linked, tackling these issues requires a different set of strategies, according to Derek Vollmer and Ian Harrison, freshwater scientists at Conservation International.

In a recent paper, they argue that countries and companies looking to improve water security should steer clear of global goals and instead focus on addressing impacts closer to home — in specific watersheds and communities.

Conservation News spoke to Vollmer about the key differences between the climate crisis and the water crisis — and why we must tap into different solutions for each.

Question: How does the climate crisis affect water insecurity around the world?

Answer: Two of our most…