Increasing pollution and privatization of public water supplies threaten the ability of many to access the world’s most essential resource.

National Radio Project is committed to covering the emerging global movements demanding that water is a human right- not a commodity. We feature voices from environmental justice movements from the Great Lakes to Ghana.

We collaborate with advocacy groups and analysts to provide a platform for their voices to be heard. Please consider supporting our editions of Making Contact on water and environmental justice issues.

Possible upcoming topics include: Climate Change and Water, Community Strategies for Water Sustainability and Justice, Native Sovereignty and Water Rights, Restoring the Clean Water Act, Defending Water Commons, Dams and Rivers, Alternative Power, Water and Food Security, Military and Corporate Contamination of Water Supplies.

We want to work with you! We welcome your ideas for upcoming water and environmental programs. Please see our submission guidelines here.

Programs from this desk are listed below. Click through for audio, full description, and guest contact information.

Women Rising XXI: Women’s Rights to Water, Land, and Farming (July 12th, 2011) As part of our “Women Rising” series, we profile a dynamic partnership between the Women’s Earth Alliance and the Global Women’s Water Initiative: working on women’s rights to water, land, farming and basic human dignity. This is a special collaboration with Lynn Feinerman and Crown Sephira Productions.

Still 'Fracking': The Perils of Natural Gas Drilling (March 8th, 2011) We'll hear excerpts from the movie "Gasland," and from people who are trying to prevent the toxic fallout from 'fracking' before it starts.

Whose Water? The Struggle for Public Ownership of Freshwater (September 21st, 2010) We go to Michigan, where from the city of Detroit, to the farmlands and countryside, citizens are battling to gain greater control over the bounty of the great lakes.

Beyond BP: A Future Without Oil (August 24th, 2010) We go to the gulf coast to hear why, despite the dangerous and deadly consequences, locals aren't ready to turn their backs on the oil industry.  What does that mean for the rest of us, as we pursue a future free of fossil fuels?

Dry Farming--a Technique for a Water Scarce Future (August 24th, 2010) The availability of water is a growing issue in California. And a handful of farmers are finding new ways to make every last drop count. "Making Contact" correspondent Joaquin Palomino visited the nearby Central Coast growing region.

No 'Fracking' Way: The Perils of Natural Gas Drilling (August 3rd, 2010) We'll hear excerpts from the movie "Gasland," and from locals from people who are trying to prevent the toxic fallout from 'fracking' before it starts.

Tapped Out: Clean Water in Peril (hour-long special) (October 28th, 2009) We'll hear from U.S. water stewards across the country, from a grassroots toxic canal clean up to a long-standing watershed war. They're people working to protect and restore our valuable fresh waterways and to keep water resources part of a shared global commons.

Swimming Upstream: Can Our Rivers Be Saved? (August 19th, 2009) Freshwater is our most vital natural resource. It’s a finite one too, although we don’t always treat it that way. So how do we protect our water supply? Many say start at the source––take care of the rivers.

The War Dance of the Winnemem Wintu (May 13th, 2009) A small tribe in Northen California tell the story of their struggle to prevent the flooding of the sacred land they have called home for centuries.

A Report Back from the World Water Forum (May 6th, 2009) One billion people lack access to safe drinking water, and at least 31 countries face water scarcity. We hear from organizers working for the right to water on a global level, about the failures of private water management, and alternatives to corporate control.

Whatcha Gonna Do When The Well Runs Dry? (September 24th, 2008) From Australia to Arizona, we take a look at three growing communities facing water shortages along with the pressure to grow. We’ll hear their different approaches to finding solutions — including denial.

Women Rising XVII: Climate Change and Water (July 9th, 2008) We profile two women activists taking on the global water crisis, warning us about the link between climate change and the loss of one of our most basic human requirements.

Water Rights: No Clear Solution (October 31st, 2007) Water is often referred to as the “new” blue gold of the 21st century. With untold profits to be made in controlling this vital resource, private entrepreneurs and corporations are vying to manage the world’s water. But is it a good idea?

Catch of the Day: Mercury (March 21st, 2007) On this edition, we go to the San Francisco Bay, joined by a public health analyst, we'll talk to local fisherman, new moms, restaurant-goers and the E.P.A. about mercury.

Waves of Change, Rivers of Doubt: Global Water Issues and Solutions (August 23rd, 2006) In this edition, we look at some core water issues affecting people around the world, including privatization, access to clean water, desalination technology, bottled water debates, and non-point source pollution.

Water Woes (August 10th, 2005) On this edition, we'll hear about the problem of water domestically and abroad, and the community organizers who are creating solutions. People in cities ranging from Manilla in the Philippines to Felton, California are thirsting for change.

Who Owns Our Water? Profits vs. Public Interest (January 5th, 2005) On this edition, we'll take a look at water as a basic human right. We'll hear about a plan to privatize water services in Lagos, Nigeria, and we'll hear about how activists in Maui, Hawaii are working to recover the island's water sources for public use.

Trouble at Sea: The State of the World's Oceans (encore edition) (March 24th, 2004) On this edition of Making Contact, we'll take a look at the over-all health of the ocean today, along with a close-up of the impact of cruise ships and shrimp farming.

Tapping the Market: Privatizing the World's Water Supply (August 28th, 2002) On this edition of Making Contact, we take a look at water privatization in South Africa, Ghana, Bolivia, and the United States.