Using the latest mapping techniques, J.A.A. Jones, Chair of the IGU Commission for Water Sustainability, examines water availability, the impact of climate change and the problems created for water management worldwide as well as possible solutions.
Water Sustainability: A Global Perspective is one of the first textbook to meld the physical and human aspects affecting the world's water resources.
Part One outlines the challenges and investigates the human factors: population growth; urbanization and pollution; the commercialization of water, including globalization and privatization; and the impacts of war, terrorism and the credit crunch.
Part Two examines the physical aspects: the restless water cycle, the impact of past and future climate change and the problems change and unreliability create for water management.
Part Three discusses current and future solutions including improved efficiency and water treatment systems, desalination, weather modification and rainwater harvesting, and improved legal and administrative frameworks.
Jones concludes by asking how far technical and financial innovations can overcome the limitations of climatic resources and examining the human and environmental costs involved in such developments.
This book is the ideal text for any student of water sustainability whether approaching the subject from the point of view of international relations, geography or environmental management.
1. A looming crisis Part I Status and challenges 2. Rising demand and dwindling per capita resources 3. Water and poverty 4. Governance and finance 5. Pollution and water-related disease 6. Water, land and wildlife 7. Dams and diversions 8. Trading water - real and virtual 9. Water, war and terrorism 10. The threat of global warming Part II Nature's resources 11. The restless water cycle 12. Shrinking freshwater stores Part III Towards sustainability 13. Cutting demand 14. Increasing supplies 15. Cleaning up and protecting the aquatic environment 16. Using seawater 17. Controlling the weather 18. Improved monitoring and data management 19. Improving prediction and risk assessment 20. Improving management and justice 21. Aid for the developing world Conclusions 22. Is sustainability achievable?
Biography
Professor Tony Jones is one of the world's foremost experts on water sustainability, Chair of the International Geographical Union's Commission for Water Sustainability, and works with both the UN and NATO on issues relating to global water supplies. He has also acted as editor for GeoJournal, Physical Geography and Area.
"This book will represent a valuable contribution to the academic literature and will be invaluable to many an undergraduate student addressing these key concepts and themes" – Beverley Todd, Circulation
"This excellent book will be an indispensable resource for students of water resources and its related disciplines. Chapters conclude with possible discussion topics, and as well as being extensively indexed and referenced throughout, the reader is directed to further academic and popular texts as well as webbased resources." – Hywel Griffiths, Aberystwyth University, Area
