Whose Water Is It?

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Less than one percent of the Earth's water is fresh and available for drinking, irrigation, and industry. By 2025, the UN predicts that over half the global population will lack sufficient water for basic needs. Daily, two million tons of waste contaminate water supplies, leading to water-related diseases that claim 10,000 to 20,000 children's lives each day. Since 1970, the water supply has decreased by 33 percent, highlighting mankind's historical disregard for this vital resource. The Aral Sea has turned into a salty desert, 90 percent of California's wetlands have disappeared, and major rivers like the Nile, Ganges, and Colorado barely reach the sea during dry seasons. This important work features 14 environmental writers who examine the impending water crisis, revealing that despite our planet's abundance of water, much is not accessible for use. They present alarming evidence of our rapid consumption outpacing replenishment, exacerbated by population growth and climate change. The essays explore the dire consequences of current trends, including desertification, disease, and conflicts over water ownership. Yet, they also propose strategies for averting disaster, emphasizing necessary changes in personal lives and industries for long-term solutions. Divided into four sections—Ownership, Scarcity, Conflict, and Prospects—this book offers a comprehensive look at the multifaceted water crisis and potential paths forward, f