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In recent decades, the Western United States has faced a mounting environmental crisis: the depletion of groundwater resources. This pressing issue, driven by unsustainable agricultural practices and increasing demands for food production, underscores the urgent need for sustainable groundwater governance

Economic growth has significantly impacted natural ecosystems, leading to a global degradation of land and water resources. Groundwater depletion, particularly severe in the Western U.S., poses a serious threat to future water security. The region’s agricultural practices, essential for meeting national and international food demands, rely heavily on groundwater for irrigation. Climate change is intensifying the need for irrigation as an adaptation strategy, exacerbating the strain on already stressed water resources.

Researchers of the Institute for Geospatial Understanding through an Integrative Discovery Environment (I-GUIDE), funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation, are investigating the complexities of this challenge and the potential global repercussions of local policies.

Thomas Hertel, distinguished professor of agriculture at Purdue University and co-author of the study explained that “Local groundwater sustainability policies, while well-intentioned, can lead to unintended global consequences. For instance, restrictions on water for irrigation in the U.S. is projected to shift crop production to other parts of the world, increasing environmental pressures elsewhere. Since crop yields are lower in most other regions, our findings project that such shifts could lead to cropland expansion by up to 20 million

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