Last Oasis: Facing Water ScarcityWe have taken for granted seemingly endless supplies of water flowing from reservoirs wells, and diversion projects; access to water has been key to food security, industrialization, and the growth of cities. In this book from the Worldwatch Institute, Sandra Postel explains that decades of profligacy and mismanagement of the world's water resources have produced signs of shortages and environmental destruction. She writes with authority and clarity of the limits-ecological, economic, and political-of this vital natural resource. She explores the potential for conflict over water between nations, and between urban and rural residents. And she offers a sensible way out of such struggles. Last Oasis makes clear that the technologies and know-how exist to increase the productivity of every liter of water. But citizens must first understand the issues and insist on policies, laws, and institutions that promote the sustainable use of water. |
Contents
Introduction to the New Edition | vii |
Acknowledgments | xxxv |
An Illusion of Plenty | 17 |
Signs of Scarcity | 27 |
Engineerings Promise | 38 |
Bread and Water | 48 |
Paradise Lost | 60 |
Wastewater No More | 126 |
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Africa Agriculture Aldo Leopold aquatic aquifer Aral Sea Bangladesh California canal China Climate Colorado River costs cropland cubic meters dams decade delta depletion desalination diversions drip drip irrigation drought ecological economic ecosystems efficiency Egypt Environment environmental estimated Everglades farm farmers flow freshwater Global Water groundwater hectares increase India industrial water International irri irrigated area irrigation systems Israel Jonglei Jordan June Lake Last Oasis Malin Falkenmark ment Mexico City Middle East million cubic meters million hectares Mono Lake MWRA National natural Okavango Delta percent plants Policy pollution private communication projects pumping rainfall recycling reduce region Research reservoirs reuse River basin runoff Sandra Postel soil sources species Sudan sustainable technologies tion U.S. Water United Washington wastewater Water Conservation water demand water ethic Water Management water scarcity water supply water systems water-scarce western wetlands wildlife World Bank World Population World Resources World Water Xeriscape yields