Betsy Otto

Global Director, Water Program

Bio

Betsy Otto is the Director of WRI’s Global Water Program. Over the past several years at WRI, she has led development of Aqueduct™, a global water risk assessment and mapping tool to inform private and public sector investment and water management decisions. Betsy works with the Water Program team to develop and apply tools and information, and to engage business, NGOs and governments for positive change in managing water resources worldwide. Betsy also works with staff across WRI to incorporate water considerations and sustainable solutions for cities, energy, governance, finance, and climate adaptation purposes.

Betsy has over 20 years of experience working on water resource management, ecosystem protection, and urban water systems. Over the past two decades, she has worked to promote sound land and water planning and urban water infrastructure systems that incorporate upstream ecosystem services, green infrastructure designs in cities, and integrate drinking water, stormwater and wastewater management. Prior to joining WRI, Betsy developed successful clean water and water supply programs for American Rivers in Washington, DC, where she worked closely with mayors, utilities, federal agencies and Congress to promote smart water policies and drive public and private investment toward more sustainable water infrastructure solutions.

Betsy earned a Masters in Water Resources Management from the University of Wisconsin’s Nelson Institute, a MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School, and a BA in Economics from the University of Illinois. From 2006-2007, she was a Loeb Fellow at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design, where she studied international water management, urban infrastructure, and water and sanitation issues.

Watch an interview of Betsy on E&E TV: WRI's Otto assesses China's water risk.

Blog Posts

When Improving America’s Infrastructure, Don’t Forget Forests
by Betsy Otto and Suzanne Ozment - May 16, 2017
This Infrastructure Week, it's time to look beyond building new pipes and pumps. Growing, restoring and preserving America's "natural infrastructure" like forests can help secure clean water supplies.
INSIDER: Rethinking Wastewater Can Help Achieve Both Climate and Development Goals
by Hana Biru, Betsy Otto and Leah Schleifer - March 24, 2017
The combined effects of growing populations, rising incomes and expanding cities will see demand for water rising exponentially, while supply becomes more erratic and uncertain due to climate change. Water scarcity already affects more than 40 percent of the...
What Does Water Have to Do with National Security?
by Charles Iceland and Betsy Otto - February 27, 2017
Water security drives state stability and safety in many regions of the world. The direct and indirect effects of water stress—such as migration, food shortages and general destabilization—transcend national boundaries.
As Clouds Head for the Poles, Time to Prepare for Food and Water Shocks
by Charles Iceland, Betsy Otto and Richard Waite - July 25, 2016
A changing climate means less rain and lower water supplies in regions where many people live and much of the planet's food is produced, as clouds retreat toward the North and South poles. A new study shows this cloud shift is already taking place, with huge implications for agriculture, industry and municipal water provisioning.
The Future of Fresh Water
by Andrew Maddocks, Betsy Otto and Tianyi Luo - June 02, 2016
Research on future water risk finds that rapidly growing demand for water will drive the greatest increase in water stress, even more so than supply changes caused by droughts and other extreme events.
World Water Day: How “Sludge” Can Power China’s Cities While Cutting Emissions
by Lijin Zhong, Xiaotian Fu, Betsy Otto and Andrew Maddocks - March 22, 2016
Four Chinese cities are pursuing systems that turn "sludge," the organic matter left over from treated sewage, into energy. The systems can reduce emissions, energy consumption and water pollution all while saving money.
Signs of Worry, Signs of Hope on World Water Day
by Betsy Otto - March 21, 2016
While droughts, floods and increasingly rapid groundwater depletion are cause for concern, this year presents unprecedented opportunities to pursue better water management. Director of WRI's Global Water program Betsy Otto explains.
Beyond Conflict, Water Stress Contributed to Europe’s Migration Crisis
by Kitty van der Heijden, Betsy Otto and Andrew Maddocks - November 03, 2015
Conflict in the Middle East and Africa is driving a human tsunami that has sent 500,000 people into Europe this year in the worst migration crisis since World War II. Beyond the conflict, however, there is another contributing factor: water scarcity.
Cities Can Save Money by Investing in Natural Infrastructure for Water
by Yiyuan Qin, Todd Gartner and Betsy Otto - October 26, 2015
Deep roots, tree canopies and other "green" infrastructure can purify water, regulate stormwater runoff and reduce the impact of floods and droughts.
NASA Satellite Data Help Show Where Groundwater Is – And Where It Isn’t
by Betsy Otto and Andrew Maddocks - June 23, 2015
Many of the world's biggest aquifers are being depleted much faster than they can be replenished, from the Middle East to India to California. New NASA satellite data reveals a looming global groundwater crisis.

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Betsy Otto

When Improving America’s Infrastructure, Don’t Forget Forests

INSIDER: Rethinking Wastewater Can Help Achieve Both Climate and Development Goals

What Does Water Have to Do with National Security?

As Clouds Head for the Poles, Time to Prepare for Food and Water Shocks

The Future of Fresh Water

World Water Day: How “Sludge” Can Power China’s Cities While Cutting Emissions

Signs of Worry, Signs of Hope on World Water Day

Beyond Conflict, Water Stress Contributed to Europe’s Migration Crisis

Cities Can Save Money by Investing in Natural Infrastructure for Water

NASA Satellite Data Help Show Where Groundwater Is – And Where It Isn’t

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