Blue Planet Run: The Race to Provide Safe Drinking Water to the World

by Rick Smolan, Robert Redford (Foreword), Jennifer Erwitt (Creator)

Blue Planet Run provides readers with an extraordinary look at the water problems facing humanity and some of the hopeful solutions being pursued by large and small companies, but entrepreneurs and activists, and by nongovernmental organizations and foundations. By the end of the book, readers are left to form their own conclusions as to whether or how the human race is capable of taking the steps necessary to solve this global crisis before it's too late.

Blue Planet Run is two books in First, it is about an extraordinary 15,000-mile relay race - the longest relay race in human history - in which 20 athletes spent 95 days running around the globe to spread awareness of the world's water crisis. Secondly, it is a showcase of powerful, inspiring, disturbing and hopeful images captured by leading photojournalists around the world who documented the human face of the crisis and its possible solutions. The result of these two parallel projects is the book you hold in your hands.

One hundred percent of the royalties from this book will be used to provide clean water to people around the world who desperately need it.

Genres: Nonfiction

240 pages, Hardcover

First published November 28, 2007

Reviews

[Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I already knew that millions of people die every year from diseases related to lack of clean water, despite the known and relatively affordable solutions. What I learned was the interdepence of countries and even U.S. states on water sources and how complicated that can be, that dams can cause extreme harm, the amazing worldwide awareness run in 2007, and I was reminded how consumption of all goods affects water availability worldwide.

Although I really enjoyed reading the book I had not expected it to be a coffee table book when I picked it up at the library which made it more difficult to read.

[Julie Laporte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty much everything about this book is amazing. It's a coffee table book, with each spread full of beautiful, if sometimes difficult, photography. Captions contain so much vital information to understanding global water issues. One thing I LOVE about this book is that you can leave it sitting out, and people will thumb through it, and without even really reading any text, they'll get a good sense of the crisis. Another thing you can love is the project this group is funding to solve the water crisis...an award-winning web-based plan to fund small initiatives, peer-reviewed.

[Cherie · Rating 4 out of 5]

B+ I want to do this race! Runners raced around the world, running 10 miles a day for 90 days (with the occasional day off), passing a baton to fellow runners, to fundraise for fresh drinking water for people around the world. I learned a lot about people who don't have access to fresh drinking water; fascinating.

[Hollis Fishelson-holstine]

recommended by book group

[Kirsten · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful coffee table book about clean water needs globally. Inspiring and heartbreaking - so many don't have what I take for granted.

[Ty G · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book it really tied in different cultures places every reason to be more responsible with our planet I love it I thought it was a great read beautiful photographs