Running Dry: The Global Water Crisis

by Stuart A. Kallen

As the planet's human population explodes, so does the demand for water. About one out of every nine people in the world does not have access to safe drinking water, while one out of every five―almost 1.5 billion humans―lives in a region where water demand is outstripping supply. But as demand grows, supplies do not. Climate change has led to severe drought, flooding, and massive storms in key agricultural areas of the world. Industrial and agricultural water pollution threatens public health around the world. Environmental protection measures are not keeping up with energy-production technologies such as fracking and the corn-for-fuel market, all of which affect water usage rates and safety.

Both developed and undeveloped areas of the world face challenges with water-delivery infrastructure. For example, undeveloped nations lack even the most basic water-delivery systems. Millions of global citizens are without sanitation altogether, polluting waterways with raw sewage. In the developed world, water-delivery infrastructures are aging and wasteful. Domestic and industrial overconsumption of water resources draws down supply capacity, depleting Earth's freshwater resources at an alarming rate. And, in the last few decades, private corporations have begun to take over municipal water delivery, buying the rights to freshwater supplies and selling bottled water, all for large profits. As the cost of clean water rises, many people can't afford the water they need for everyday use.

Competition for clean water is increasing, and the stakes couldn't be higher. Running Dry investigates some tough questions. In a crowded world with limited water supplies, will we be able to deliver safe, clean water to an increasingly thirsty world? Can governments, businesses, and individuals work together to clean up and protect Earth's water resources? Are water conservation strategies enough to ensure a water-rich future? Or will we run dry?

Genres: Nonfiction

64 pages, Library Binding

First published February 1, 2015

About the author

Kallen has written more than 350 nonfiction books for children and young adults. His books have covered a wide arc of human history, culture, and science. Kallen is also an accomplished singer-songwriter and guitarist in San Diego, California

Reviews

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Important, clear information delivered in an effective way.

Quick read.

[Jesse Field · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, pithy account of the facts for young people. Great text to use in STEAM curriculum and base projects off of. It is growing dated quickly, however, as China brings its new waste management systems online, moves to conserve water better, and meanwhile African countries like Nigeria take the lead in population growth -- will they build the infrastructure to keep up? An update to this report would be great in coming year or two.

[Ellee Nichols · Rating 4 out of 5]

Copyright date: 2015
Star rating: 4
Award: The best Children's book of the year
Genre: nonfiction
Summary w/ themes: This book talks about how water is used and what might happen in the future with our water because of climate change.
Use for future classroom: This would be a good book for teaching how to read nonfiction
Thoughts of book: I enjoyed this book and I learned a few new things which is always nice.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was definitely intended for an older reader. We looked at the pictures and I was dismayed to see the sad reality that many in the world face. Save it for an older child (I checked it out of the library for my Kindergartener).

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Running Dry is a very interesting look at the water problems facing the world. The book details the importance of water to the human population, where it comes from and how it is used. Then it deals with the issues facing us in regards to water: pollution, over-use, increasing demand, and climate change. There is a lot of good information in this highly readable book. I found the parts about how much water farms and industry are using especially interesting and was shocked by the attitudes of bottled water companies who do not think clean water is a human right but a commodity with a price. I also thought it was interesting how different countries are dealing with the water shortages they are facing. This is an excellent resource for students and those interested in the issue.

I received this book from Netgalley.

[Meaghan Odell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Terrifying read for me. Although this is written for a younger audience, I found many of the facts to be shocking. I knew our water supplies were limited, but this points at just how fast they will be gone--whether from climate change, pollution, factory farming--the list goes on. The book presents all the problems and the political struggle of dealing with them NOW. I am glad our students are reading this as it is indeed the largest problem we will need to solve if we want a future on planet Earth. My only critique is that the book is a bit "doomsday" and in order to ignite all people to take action the book needs a "what we can do NOW" chapter.