Drawing on the expertise and international renown of its members, the Foresight Committee guides the Veolia Institute and steers its development. At its last annual meeting, it invited a multidisciplinary panel of experts to discuss geopolitical events and trends concerning essential services and critical resources. These services and resources, essential to everyday life and economic development, can be vulnerable to geopolitical disruption. Understanding emerging trends and the associated risks can help us better anticipate future challenges. This is a thought-provoking read about what is essential to the concerns and prospects of our communal future.