The global water cycle is our planet’s life support system. It is a powerful environmental pump, with forests transpiring moisture and replenishing giant atmospheric rivers of freshwater. It is also a global thermostat, regulating the climate through evaporation and cloud formation. And it is a giant filter, purifying water as it percolates through the soils and wetlands.

Erik Berglöf calls for fresh thinking about how we govern and invest in the planet's life-support system.

The global water cycle is our planet’s life support system. It is a powerful environmental pump, with forests transpiring moisture and replenishing giant atmospheric rivers of…

BEIJING — The global water cycle is our planet’s life-support system. It is a powerful environmental pump, with forests transpiring moisture and re...