Water and the Future of Humanity

This unique, engaging, and highly authoritative volume enlightens readers on changes needed in the way society accesses, provides, and uses water. It further shines a light on changes needed in the way we use food, energy, and other goods and services in relation to water, and offers projections and recommendations, up to 2050, that apply to water access challenges facing the poor and the common misuse of water in industry, agriculture, and municipalities. Written by an unparalleled slate of experts convened by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, the book takes on one of the most critical issues on the planet today. In a frank yet optimistic assessment of major developmental chal­lenges, but also opportunities, facing future generations, the author elucidates linkages between water and a range of other drivers from various disciplinary and stakeholder perspectives. Ultimately portraying the belief that Humanity can harness its visionary abilities, technologies, and economic resources for increased wellbeing and sound stewardship of resources, the book presents an optimistic statement stressing actions scientists, policy makers, and consumers can and must take to meet the water man­agement challenges of a warming planet anticipating nine billion inhabitants by 2050.

Gulbenkian Think Tank on Water and the Future of Humanity: Benedito Braga, Pres. World Water Council & Prof. of Civil Engineering, Univ. of São Paulo, Brazil; Colin Chatres, Director General of the International Water Management Institute, Sri Lanka; William J. Cosgrove, Pres. of Ecoconsult Inc. & Senior Adviser for the UN World Water Development Report, Canada; Luis Veiga da Cunha, Prof. Environmental Science and Engineering, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Portugal; Peter Gleick, Pres. of the Pacific Institute, USA; Pavel Kabat, Director, International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Austria; and Prof. & Chair, Earth Systems Science, Wageningen University, The Netherlands; Mohamed Ait Kadi, President of the General Council of Agricultural Development, Morocco; Daniel P. Loucks, Prof. of Civil Engineering, Cornell Univ. USA; Jan Lundqvist, Senior Scientific Advisor, Stockholm International Water Institute, Sweden; Sunita Narain, Director, Center for Science & Environment, New Delhi, India; Jun Xia, Pres., International Water Resources Association, Chair Prof. & Dean, The Research Institute for Water Security (RIWS), Wuhan University, China.

From the reviews:

“This book presents a direct and balanced view of the critical issues already affecting water and how they may become more serious in the future. It also reviews the challenges and ways to respond to them. … Everyone must participate in the discussion of the proper management of this resource. This book provides a wealth of information for people to start the conversation. … Summing Up: Highly recommended. All library collections.” (E. Gomezdelcampo, Choice, Vol. 51 (9), May, 2014)

The Gulbenkian Think Tank on Water and the Future of Humanity:

Benedito Braga, Professor of Civil Engineering, University of São Paulo, Brazil; Colin Chartres, Director General of the International Water Management Institute, Australia; William J. Cosgrove, President of Ecoconsult Inc. & Senior Adviser for the UN World Water Development Report, Canada; Luís Veiga da Cunha, Professor Environmental Science and Engineering, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Portugal; Peter Gleick, President of the Pacific Institute, USA; Pavel Kabat, Director, International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), Austria, and Professor & Chair, Earth Systems Science, Wageningen University, The Netherlands; Mohamed Ait Kadi, President of the General Council of Agricultural Development, Morocco; Daniel P. Loucks, Professor of Civil Engineering, Cornell University, USA; Jan Lundqvist, Senior Scientific Advisor, Stockholm International Water Institute, Sweden; Sunita Narain, Director, Center for Science & Environment, New Delhi, India; and Jun Xia, President, International Water Resources Association, Chair Professor & Dean, The Research Institute for Water Security (RIWS), Wuhan University, China