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Water for All: Global Solutions for a Changing Climate
A fresh look at the world’s water crises, and the existing and emerging solutions that can be used to solve them
It is not your water crises are more frequent. Our twentieth-century systems for providing the water that grows food, sustains cities, and supports healthy ecosystems are failing to meet the demands of growing population and the challenges brought on by climate change. But the grim news reports—of empty reservoirs, withering crops, failing ecosystems—need not be cause for despair, argues award-winning author David Sedlak.
Communities on the front lines of previous water crises have pioneered approaches that are ready to be applied elsewhere. Some have resolved shortages by enhancing water-use efficiency, and others have used moments of crisis to resolve historic disagreements over water rights. Still others have employed treatment technologies that unlock vast quantities of untapped water resources.
Sedlak identifies the challenges that society faces, including ineffective policies and outdated infrastructure, and the myriad of tools at our disposal—from emerging technologies in desalination to innovations for recycling wastewater and capturing more of the water that falls on fields and cities. He offers an informed and hopeful approach for rethinking our assumptions about the way that water is managed. With this knowledge we can create a future with clean, abundant, and affordable water for all.
It is not your water crises are more frequent. Our twentieth-century systems for providing the water that grows food, sustains cities, and supports healthy ecosystems are failing to meet the demands of growing population and the challenges brought on by climate change. But the grim news reports—of empty reservoirs, withering crops, failing ecosystems—need not be cause for despair, argues award-winning author David Sedlak.
Communities on the front lines of previous water crises have pioneered approaches that are ready to be applied elsewhere. Some have resolved shortages by enhancing water-use efficiency, and others have used moments of crisis to resolve historic disagreements over water rights. Still others have employed treatment technologies that unlock vast quantities of untapped water resources.
Sedlak identifies the challenges that society faces, including ineffective policies and outdated infrastructure, and the myriad of tools at our disposal—from emerging technologies in desalination to innovations for recycling wastewater and capturing more of the water that falls on fields and cities. He offers an informed and hopeful approach for rethinking our assumptions about the way that water is managed. With this knowledge we can create a future with clean, abundant, and affordable water for all.
- GenresNonfictionScience
440 pages, Hardcover
Published November 7, 2023
11 people are currently reading
114 people want to read
About the author
David Sedlak
3 books8 followersEducation
Ph.D. - Water Chemistry, University of Wisconsin at Madison, 1992
B.S. - Environmental Science, Cornell University, 1986
Ph.D. - Water Chemistry, University of Wisconsin at Madison, 1992
B.S. - Environmental Science, Cornell University, 1986
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
July 6, 2025
So many valuable insights and overall excellent content. The dense format made it tough to get through though.
November 27, 2023
A very well-structured book. I appreciated the pragmatic and optimistic tone of the book as compared to other books on the topic that sometimes leave you with the feeling of an impending doomsday.
The book also draws on examples from a breadth of places- I personally found the study of Mexico City most interesting and thought that the passage on New Zealand was beautifully written.
Even though I have read Cadillac Desert, it was good to get up so speed about recent developments in the de facto watershed of the Colorado river!
The book also draws on examples from a breadth of places- I personally found the study of Mexico City most interesting and thought that the passage on New Zealand was beautifully written.
Even though I have read Cadillac Desert, it was good to get up so speed about recent developments in the de facto watershed of the Colorado river!
April 24, 2025
David Sedlak offers a thorough and engaging exploration of contemporary water challenges faced around the world. He presents cutting-edge research and real-world examples that illuminate complex topics like desalination, water reuse, and water equity. I particularly enjoyed his discussion on desalination and the creative reference to Dune's stillsuits—it was a clever and relatable way to emphasize how technology might shape our water future.
Sedlak’s expertise is evident throughout, especially in his thoughtful predictions about where global water management may be headed. The final chapter stood out by strongly advocating for the recognition of water as a human right, rather than merely a commodity or privilege. While this theme ties the book together nicely, I think the argument would have been even more compelling if it had been more explicitly woven into earlier chapters.
Overall, Water for All is an insightful and accessible read, ideal for anyone interested in understanding global water issues and the future of water sustainability. Highly recommended.
Sedlak’s expertise is evident throughout, especially in his thoughtful predictions about where global water management may be headed. The final chapter stood out by strongly advocating for the recognition of water as a human right, rather than merely a commodity or privilege. While this theme ties the book together nicely, I think the argument would have been even more compelling if it had been more explicitly woven into earlier chapters.
Overall, Water for All is an insightful and accessible read, ideal for anyone interested in understanding global water issues and the future of water sustainability. Highly recommended.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews