About Christopher Kuzdas

Christopher Kuzdas

Senior Manager, Climate Resilient Water Systems

Contact

Remote Office

Work

Areas of expertise:

Water management and governance; public policy; decision support; social-ecological systems; risk management; rural development and planning

Chris Kuzdas, PhD, is a member of EDF’s Water Program, based in Arizona. Chris is a political and social scientist with a diverse background in water management, the decision and policy sciences, and international development. Chris manages a large portfolio of projects, research, and investments for EDF’s Water Program in the Southwestern United States. Project work includes balancing demands with supplies in the Colorado River Basin, keeping the Verde River flowing, and advancing sustainable groundwater management in rural regions.

Background

Prior to joining EDF, Chris worked in Central America for many years as a consultant, project lead, and researcher for universities and multi-lateral organizations. Chris and his teams managed several large projects that included: a national drought impact assessment in Costa Rica; water conflict mediation in rural regions; numerous river basin and water management assessments; and, developing plans for irrigation districts and water managers to reduce risks faced by vulnerable smallholder farmers. Chris’ and his partner’s work in Central America is widely recognized for its originality in linking sound science to policy making and real world impacts, as well as its original contributions to sustainable water management in arid, developing regions dealing with difficult water supply challenges. Chris is a U.S. Fulbright grantee, and his work has been awarded grants from the U.S. National Science Foundation and the Organization for Tropical Studies, among others.

Education

Ph.D., Sustainability, Arizona State University

M.P.A., Arizona State University

B.A.S., Arizona State University

Publications

Kuzdas, C., Warner, B., Wiek, A., Yglesias, M., Vignola, R., & Ramírez-Cover, A. (2016). Identifying the potential of governance regimes to aggravate or mitigate local water conflicts in regions threatened by climate change. Local Environment.

Kuzdas, C., Warner, B., Wiek, A., Vignola, R., Yglesias, M., & Childers, D. (2016). Sustainability assessment of water governance alternatives: The case of Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Sustainability Science.

Warner, B. & Kuzdas, C. (2016). Manufactured global change risk pathways in industrial-based agrarian development. Climate and Development.

Wiek, A., Bernstein, M.J., Foley, R.W., Cohen, M., Forrest, N., Kuzdas, C., Kay, B., Withycombe Keeler, L. (2016). Operationalising Competencies in Higher Education for Sustainable Development. In: Barth, M., Michelsen, G., Rieckmann, M., Thomas, I. (Eds.) Routledge Handbook of Higher Education for Sustainable Development, pp. 241-260. Routledge: London and New York.

Kuzdas, C., Wiek, A., Warner, B., Vignola, R., & Morataya, R. (2015). Integrated and participatory analysis of water governance regimes: The case of the Costa Rican dry tropics. World Development, 66, 254-268.

Warner, B., Kuzdas, C., Yglesias, M., & Childers, D. (2015). Limits to adaptation to interacting global change risks among smallholder rice farmers in Northwest Costa Rica. Global Environmental Change, 30, 101-112.

Warner, B. & Kuzdas, C. (2015). Origins of water scarcity in rural development in the Costa Rican dry tropics: Neoliberalism, international trade, and climate change. GWF Discussion Paper, UNESCO Global Water Forum, Canberra, Australia.

Kuzdas, C. & Wiek, A. (2014). Governance scenarios for addressing water conflicts and climate change impacts. Environmental Science & Policy, 42, 181-196.

Kuzdas, C., Wiek, A., Warner, B., Vignola, R., & Morataya, R. (2014). Sustainability appraisal of water governance regimes — The case of Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Environmental Management, 54(2), 205-222.

Kuzdas, C., Yglesias, M., & Warner, B. (2013). Governing Costa Rica’s Water Resources. The Solutions Journal 4(4), 31-36. English Spanish

Kuzdas, C., Yglesias, M., Wiek, A., & Vignola, R. (2013). Sustainable Water Governance in Guanacaste: Future Scenarios and Strategies. Comisión para el Manejo de las Cuencas Potrero-Caimital. Nicoya, Guanacaste, Costa Rica (Spanish)

Kuzdas C. (2012). Unpacking water conflict in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. GWF Discussion Paper 1242, UNESCO Global Water Forum, Canberra, Australia.

Yglesias, M. & Kuzdas, C. (2012). Water Management in Guanacaste: Toward a Sustainable Future? Voz de Nosara/Voz de Guanacaste, November (Spanish)

Kuzdas, C., Yglesias, M., Wiek, A., Warner, B., Vignola, R., & Morataya, R. (2012). Sustainability assessment of water systems and water governance in the Portrero, Caimital, and Upper Nosara Watersheds. Comisión para el Manejo de las Cuencas Potrero-Caimital. Nicoya, Guanacaste, Costa Rica (Spanish)

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