SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- (Marketwire) -- 11/05/12 -- INFORUM announced today that it will host a discussion on Wednesday, Nov. 7th on the global water crisis with Jake Norton, co-founder and lead climber of Challenge 21, Jon Rose, professional surfer and founder of Waves for Water, Evan Thomas, assistant professor and director of the SWEETLab and executive VP of Manna Energy Limited, and Peter Gleick, water expert, and co-founder and president of the Pacific Institute, in conversation with Jason Mark, editor of the Earth Island Journal.

INFORUM is teaming up with Levi Strauss & Co. to begin a meaningful but refreshing conversation about the global water crisis with those working on creative new approaches for providing clean water. Hear from leaders in the field and find out more about innovative projects and collaborative coalitions that deliver reliable and safe water for those who need it most, both domestically and around the world. It's the ultimate genesis of life as we know it -- join us to hear the stories and wade neck-deep into the worldwide water crisis.

After the kick-off panel, we'll dive right into an interactive social in an attempt to grasp the realities of H20 hardships and opportunities. Learn the water-footprint of your favorite hors-d'oeuvres, test the difference between filtered and unfiltered water and check out Levi's water-free jeans at their store located in the Plaza as you examine the part you play in the global water equation.

Panelists include:

• Jake Norton is a professional mountain climber and founder of Challenge21: Over the next 3.5 years, he will climb the three highest summits on all seven continents. In the process, he hopes to engage 2.1 million people with the water & sanitation crises, and raise at least $2.1 million for Water For People.
• Jon Rose is a professional surfer and founder of Waves for Water, a non-profit organization that aims to bring clean water solutions to impoverished countries around the world. Waves 4 Water volunteers have successfully set up various types of filtration systems in Haiti, Indonesia, Bali, Pakistan, Samoa and Chile.
• Evan Thomas is an assistant professor, director of the SWEETLab, and a faculty fellow in the Institute for Sustainable Solutions at Portland State University. Evan's research and teaching interests include developing sustainable life support systems for spacecraft and the developing world.
• Peter Gleick is a MacArthur Fellow and co-founder and president of the Pacific Institute. His research and writing address the critical connections between water and human health, the impacts of climate change, sustainable water use and international conflicts over water resources.
• Jason Mark is a writer-farmer with a deep background in environmental politics. In addition to his work in the Earth Island Journal, his writings have appeared in countless publications, including the San Francisco Chronicle and The Nation. He also co-manages Alemany Farm, SF's largest food production site.

The program takes place at the Levi's Auditorium on 1155 Battery St. in San Francisco on Wednesday, Nov. 7th, at 6:30 p.m. PT. For more information and to register for tickets, call (415)-597-6705 or register online at http://leviswater.eventbrite.com/.

Media interested in attending should please RSVP to:
Caroline Moriarity Sacks, INFORUM Director, (415) 597-6719, cms@commonwealthclub.org
Enies Burton, INFORUM Public Relations Chair, enies.burton@gmail.com
Please bring a business card to the event.

About INFORUM
The Commonwealth Club of California is the nation's oldest and largest public affairs forum -- since 2002, INFORUM, a division of The Club created by and for people in their 20s and 30s, has spent the past decade stirring things up with a mission to inspire debate around civic issues. INFORUM has played host to a variety of ingenious speakers, like Van Jones and Rachel Maddow, and has reached beyond the traditional model, presenting events that range anywhere from spirits tasting to an exploration of the revolutionary music scene with the founder of Burning Man.