Water: The Causes, Costs, and Future of a Global Crisis

by Julian Caldecott

All known forms of life depend on water. Covering 71 percent of the Earth's surface, water seems to be plentiful. But there are 1.2 billion people who currently live without a safe water supply. The amount of available drinking water is shrinking, and the need for it is increasing relentlessly. While some regions are receiving too much rain, others are receiving too little. We are approaching a global water emergency. Examining the vital role this fascinating substance plays on the planet, this analysis explores the historical, scientific, political, and economic reasons behind the looming water crisis. It reveals where the water humans use comes from, and at what social and environmental cost. This is an intriguing and sometimes unsettling portrait of the future of water in this changing world and what people can do to make a difference.

Genres: Environment, Nonfiction

256 pages, Paperback

First published November 8, 2007

Reviews

[Evelyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good introduction to how amazing water scientifically is. The political and environmental struggles the go with commerce and ownership. Plus a small section on what we can do about it.
Being published in 2007 it is now a little out of date but the core of it is still relevant.

Quite an easy read.

[Mary English · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book. Well written. Very scary....

[G Horton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great introduction to a huge range of topics structured as short, easy to read articles. This book gave me a view into a range of water-related issues such as groundwater depletion, ecological responses to hard engineering, national and international legislation for water quality and ecology, sustainable urban drainage, and so much more.