How many times have you used your water supply today? To brush your teeth? Flush the toilet? Perhaps you gave your apple a quick rinse at breakfast while the kettle was boiling for your coffee. For many of us around the world we take for granted that when we turn a tap on water appears. But what if that basic resource suddenly disappeared? 

A scenario where we're left with no water is referred to as a 'Day Zero' - it's nearly happened in a few countries already - like South Africa - and here in the UK it's predicted that London could run out of water by 2050. That's just over two decades away. So why aren't we talking about it?

Lucy Easthope is an international disaster recovery adviser, and visiting Professor at Manchester Metropolitan. She’s also the author of two books: ‘When The Dust Settles’ and ‘Come What May’. She has vast amounts of experience working in the aftermath of many of the biggest catastrophes of this century, from terrorist attacks to natural disasters.

Today she tells Stephanie why running out of water is a very real problem for places that might not think of themselves at risk, how you can be best prepared, and what it means to be someone who has spent a lifetime thinking about the worst case scenario.

Resources & Links 

Lucy’s website: https://whatevernext.info/

Order ‘Come What May’ 

Disasters Avoided: https://disastersavoided.com/

Government guidance for preparing for an emergency: https://prepare.campaign.gov.uk/

Host: Stephanie von Bismarck 

Guest: Lucy Easthope

Producer: Holly Fisher

Production Manager: Angela Crago 

Executive Producer: Ellie Di Martino 

The series was recorded and edited at PodShop studios. 
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