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High and Dry: Meeting the Challenges of the World’s Growing Dependence on Groundwater
An engaging call to understand and protect groundwater, the primary source of drinking water for almost half of the world’s population
Groundwater is essential for drinking water and food security. It provides enormous environmental benefits by keeping streams and rivers flowing. But a growing global population, widespread use of industrial chemicals, and climate change threaten this vital resource. Groundwater depletion and contamination has spread from isolated areas to many countries throughout the world. In this accessible and timely book, hydrology expert William M. Alley and science writer Rosemarie Alley sound the call to protect groundwater.
Drawing on examples from around the world, including case studies in the United States, Canada, Australia, India, and Sub-Saharan Africa, the authors examine groundwater from key scientific and socioeconomic perspectives. While addressing the serious nature of groundwater problems, the book includes stories of people who are making a difference in protecting this critical resource.
Groundwater is essential for drinking water and food security. It provides enormous environmental benefits by keeping streams and rivers flowing. But a growing global population, widespread use of industrial chemicals, and climate change threaten this vital resource. Groundwater depletion and contamination has spread from isolated areas to many countries throughout the world. In this accessible and timely book, hydrology expert William M. Alley and science writer Rosemarie Alley sound the call to protect groundwater.
Drawing on examples from around the world, including case studies in the United States, Canada, Australia, India, and Sub-Saharan Africa, the authors examine groundwater from key scientific and socioeconomic perspectives. While addressing the serious nature of groundwater problems, the book includes stories of people who are making a difference in protecting this critical resource.
304 pages, Hardcover
Published February 21, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
December 29, 2021
A good introduction to the groundwater challenges of today. The authors highlight historical and present day examples of groundwater mismanagement across the globe, but mostly within the US.
There is a lot of good work going into protecting groundwater. But as stated in the book, solutions are a collective effort between governments, environmental agencies, and the public.
There is a lot of good work going into protecting groundwater. But as stated in the book, solutions are a collective effort between governments, environmental agencies, and the public.
September 26, 2020
A very general information on groundwater aquifers mostly in Northern America, disputes over transboundary surface and groundwater legal rights between States and how they’ve managed, recharged, and recycled etc. However, I was expecting more scientific kinda stuff that has more details on confined and unconfined aquifers, their chemical, geological and physical characteristics, and compositions, especially more details on confined aquifers that I could’ve even cite in my academic paper, a bit disappointed. Anyways, highly recommended to first graders in hydrology!
January 13, 2017
I received this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
A valuable resource for those of us that care about the environment, public health, and simple drinking water, worldwide. All of us are affected by the delicate balance between human use and groundwater realities. This book is a dense but relatively easy read. Some chapters present facts that are simply harrowing from a scientific standpoint, others, such as the chapter dealing with the San Pedro River and its relevance to migratory birds, profoundly disheartening.
I wish I could give this book to my legislators, to developers, to city managers. People need to listen, to heed the cautionary information Alley offers in this book.
A valuable resource for those of us that care about the environment, public health, and simple drinking water, worldwide. All of us are affected by the delicate balance between human use and groundwater realities. This book is a dense but relatively easy read. Some chapters present facts that are simply harrowing from a scientific standpoint, others, such as the chapter dealing with the San Pedro River and its relevance to migratory birds, profoundly disheartening.
I wish I could give this book to my legislators, to developers, to city managers. People need to listen, to heed the cautionary information Alley offers in this book.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews