Out of Water - 9780131367265

'No water, no life. Are you wondering how this planet can be 'running out of water' when it still rains and rivers flow? This book is your guide. Colin Chartres has lived his life to improve the management of the water that gives life to all. His lessons are worth learning."ùMargaret Catley-Carlson, Member of the UN Secretary General's Advisory Board, Chair of the Global Water Partnership, and former Deputy Executive Director of UNICEF

"Chartres and Varma ably combine sound science and intelligent writing to illuminate the enormous technical and managerial challenges inherent in meeting the worlds rapidly growing water needs. Wisely, Out of Water pays special attention to the complexities of managing water for agriculture, by far the largest consumer of water worldwide and the major contributor to water scarcity."ùRoberto Lenton, Chair, Inspection Panel, The World Bank

"Ensuring that we use water more wisely, more productively, and less profligately will be one of the defining challenges...of this century. There are solutions, and while implementing these will not be easy, but they are achievable, as pointed out in this book."ùFrom the Foreword by DR. Joachim Von Braun Director, Center for Development Research (ZEF)

Around the world, water shortages are occurring even in areas known for significant rainfall. In drier regions, shortages are already causing crop failures and starvation, and long-term economic development. Urbanization, industrialization, changing diets, biofuel production, and climate change are all aligning to exacerbate the crisis. As water shortages lead to food and health crises, they may trigger greater social unrest and, thus, foster terrorism and potentially water wars.

Out of Water explains where we stand and how we got here, and what we can do about it. Chartres and Varma don't just illuminate the coming global water crisis. They present innovative, workable solutions in agriculture, engineering, governance, and beyond, including state-of-the-art techniques for integrated water management.

Accessible, realistic, and up-to-date, Out of Water will be an indispensable resource for everyone concerned with public health, poverty, food security, or economic growth-in government, NGOs, and the private sector alike.

The Perfect Storm: Food, Fuel, Urbanization, Industry, and Climate Change

Understanding the trends converging to generate an unprecedented global water gap

Real Answers Proven to Work

Better efficiency, proven reforms, improved governance, well-targeted incentives

The Value of Integrated water Resource Management

How to integrate the understanding, governance, and management of water resources

Why It's Your Problem, No Matter Where You Live

How water scarcity will affect how and where we get our food and fuel in the future