Product Description
Every day, we hear alarming news about droughts, pollution, population growth, and climate change-which threaten to make water, even more than oil, the cause of war within our lifetime. Diane Raines Ward reaches beyond the headlines to illuminate our most vexing problems and tells the stories of those working to solve them: hydrologists, politicians, engineers, and everyday people. Based on ten years of research spanning five continents, Water Wars offers fresh insight into a subject to which our fate is inextricably bound. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

A Must
Water is becoming the hottest topic of discussions about the environment and this book is the first and the best on the subject.
Water 101.Make sure you read it.

Readably Frightening !
George W Bush should be made to read this book. The author addresses many global water problems in a well researched and highly readable form.Read it and be afraid - we should be demanding our nitwit lawmakers read it and take action. Give a copy to your neighbors.

Too wordy to enjoy.
Diane Raines Ward is obviously a well traveled and well educated person, but it seemed that her personal experiences were what most mattered to her in what could have been a very interesting expose if it was a little less wordy...maybe some good editing would help.

a New Orleanian
This work represents the type of outstanding engagement of intellectual and artistic pursuits that makes being human humane. The piece predates our time and is timeless: it ranks with the best of expressive endeavors. I challenge everyone to read it; and I do mean everyone. If our current leaders want a precise discussion of an important subject, they will put this on reading lists of all schools, organizaitons, groups worldwide.

WATER WARS
The author, Diane Raines Ward, is obviously passionate about this subject--she has traveled the world and seen with her own eyes the good and the bad of water 'management.'She does not make assumptions, she does not make sweeping generalizations--she examines each dam, river, levee and irrigation system individually, thereby proving how complicated the water wars are.Her passion for the subject also makes the book quite readable; it is written more like a novel than a scientific treatise.My only complaint is the complete lack of maps and diagrams, but that does not stop me from giving the book 5 stars. ... Read more

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Finding "streams in the desert" has never been more urgent for the peoples of the Middle East. Rapid population growth and a rising standard of living are driving water demand inexorably upward, while the natural supply has not increased since Biblical times. Ensuring a fair and adequate distribution of water in the region is vitally important for building a lasting peace among the nations of the Middle East. Addressing water needs from a geographical perspective, the contributors to this book analyze and assess the impact of scarce water resources in the Jordan River basin countries and territories (Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, and Syria) as these long-time antagonists work toward peace. After geographical and historical overviews, the authors envision the future--what the water issues may be when Israel and Syria begin negotiating, the "hydro-security" needs of each nation, and the difficulties of planning for uncertainty. Without proposing any one ideal scheme, they discuss the possibilities for cooperative sharing of water resources, while honestly acknowledging the political constraints that may limit such projects. The final essay speaks to the needs of the one party so rarely represented at the negotiating table--the Jordan River itself. ... Read more

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Among the most compelling environmental issues of today and tomorrow are those concerning the world's fresh water resources. Peter H. Gleick's important new volume, Water in Crisis, addresses the timely and sometimes controversial aspects of world water use. At stake are water quality, quantity, and possible future conflicts over shared international water resources.

Nine essays by leading specialists from fields as diverse as hydrology, zoology, and law, among others, cover such issues as the status of developments in international water law; hydroelectric power; the possible effects of climatic change on water resources; and the state of fresh water fisheries. Particular chapters explore access to clean drinking water and sanitation; the use of water for energy and food production; the quality of rivers, lakes, and inland seas; and the condition of natural aquatic ecosystems.

A joint project of the Pacific Institute and the Stockholm Environment Institute, this book is a comprehensive guide to the world's fresh water resources. Hydrologists, engineers, policy makers, professionals in the environmental sciences, as well as lay readers will find Water in Crisis a dynamic resource and information-packed reference. More than 200 tables of fresh water data supplement this important volume. ... Read more

Product Description
Written from an agronomic rather than an engineering perspective, this introduction to soil and water conservation explores a full range of topics and environmental issues, including some ignored or overlooked in other books on the subject. Comprehensive, up-to-date, and accessible, it considers the hazards posed by erosion, sedimentation, and pollution, and describes the techniques needed to conserve soil and maintain environmental quality. Situations and examples are drawn from many places to represent a cross-section of the soils, climates and cultures of the world, as well as the full scope of agricultural, engineering, mining, and other uses of the land.The volume covers conserving soil and water, soil erosion and civilization, geologic erosion and sedimentation, water erosion and sedimentation, wind erosion and deposition, predicting soil loss, soil surveys as a basis for land use planning, cropping systems, tillage practices for conservation, conservation structures, vegetating drastically disturbed areas, pastureland, rangeland, and forestland management, water conservation, soil drainage, irrigation and reclamation, soil pollution, water quality and pollution, economics of soil and water conservation, soil and water conservation agencies in the United States, and soil and water conservation around the world.For professionals that deal with soil and water conservation. ... Read more

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For the first time in history half of the world's population is living in cities.By theyear 2025, it is estimated that more than two-thirds will be urban dwellers.While the fastest growthof cities is taking place in the developing world, urbanization is a global phenomenon, closely relatedto environmental issues. The rapid growth of urban centers will place tremendous stress on theenvironment and pose formidable problems of social and institutional change, infrastructuredevelopment, and pollution control.

Water will be one of the key resources for sustainable urban development.It is needed forvirtually every human endeavor--for household use, agriculture, industry, leisure--and water also hasan important ecosystem function. Provision of sufficient water and preventing pollution however, areformidable tasks.It is estimated that about 380 million urban residents worldwide lack adequatesanitation and at least 170 million still do not have access to a nearby source of safe drinking water. Making clean water available in the next forty or so years will require extending service to 3.7 billionmore urban residents.

In this book, leading experts from four continents offer unique insights into varied issues ofurban water management.In case studies, the authors seek solutions and identify strategies forsustainable management of water resources for burgeoning mega-cities. They consider both technicalissues, such as wastewater reuse, and management issues, including financial mechanisms forimproved water sector management. ... Read more

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This is the first comprehensive, multi-disciplinary book to address water policy in Jordan. Edited by the former Minister of Water and Irrigation of Jordan, with contributions by other prominent Jordanian and international water professionals, this volume covers such areas as the population-water resources equation in Jordan; institutional and legal frameworks; the data systems used for the assessment and formulation of water policy; water allocations and uses in municipal, industrial, and agricultural sectors; social and environmental issues; and water conflict with Jordan's neighbors.

The book is a must for readers interested in Middle East politics and the critical nature of water issues in the region. The book notes the importance of interaction with the outside world to augment water p>resources through trade, making the experience of Jordan relevant to other developing regions where water is scarce. It introduces the term shadow water to mean the scarce indigenous water resources that the import of agricultural and industrial commodities saves or replaces. The book shows how financially profitable it can be to treat water as a tradable commodity, to be exchanged peaceably across international borders.Haddadin and his distinguished contributors bring the water conflicts between Jordan and its neighbors, Israel and Syria, into sharp focus. The book includes a historical perspective on the development of water policies in Jordan and explores the significance of water in the religious, social, and political life of the country. ... Read more

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Why do states in arid regions fail to cooperate in sharing water resources and how can they be encouraged to do so? In a provocative and well-researched analysis of the history and current status of the dispute over the waters of the Jordan River basin and its relationship to the Arab-Israeli conflict, Dr. Miriam Lowi explores the answers to these questions. This book will be of value to all those with an interest in the region, and to those concerned with the environmental issues of the politics of water scarcity. ... Read more

Product Description
Water in California is controlled, stored, delivered, and managed within a complex network of interlocking and cooperating districts and agencies. Unraveling and understanding this system is not easy. This book describes how the current system works (or doesn't work) and discusses the issues that face elected officials, water and resource managers, and the general public. Using the Los Angeles area as a microcosm of the state, environmental activist Dorothy Green gathers detailed information on its water systems and applies the lessons learned from this data statewide. A useful primer on watershed and water policy issues, this book provides reasoned, thoughtful, and insightful arguments about sustainability. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Comprehensive Political History and Bureaucratic Analysis
This product gives a comprehensive history of water politics in California and analysis of all the agencies involved in water politics today.It is a primer for anyone seriously interested in understanding the complexity of California's water politics. ... Read more

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An International Rivers Network Book

translated by Nancy Yang Lui and Lawrence R. Sullivan

China’s Water Crisis (Zhongguo shui weiji) is the most comprehensive, authoritative, and up-to-date-source of information on the enormous water resource crisis confronting the People’s Republic of China. The author describes in great detail the floods, water scarcity, and pollution problems existing in all seven of China’s major drainage basins—large and small—and proposes workable solutions for sustainable management.

Of greatest concern to Mr. Ma is the condition of China’s two major rivers, the Yellow and the Yangzi.The very existence of the Yellow River is threatened by massive reductions in water flow caused by a variety of man-made programs while chronic soil erosion resulting from defor-estation together with dam construction has led to a cycle of flood and drought in the Yangzi River basin. The same issues are reflected in China’s smaller rivers. Mr. Ma documents the persistent drought conditions in the southeast, the impact of pollutants on the Tibetan plateau, the defects in China’s large-scale reservoirs, steadily diminishing underground water tables, and the growing abuse of aquifers for urbanization and industrialization.

Despite his alarming findings, Mr. Ma feels that there is hope if major remedial programs are put in place very soon.Otherwise, he paints a compelling picture of a nation which will experience—over the next several decades—dramatic deterioration in its clean water. ... Read more

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This book at the intersection of natural sciences, economics, and water engineering aims to reduce the gaps between economic theory, natural sciences, and engineering practice. Based on an extended thermodynamic approach, the authors explain which economic assumptions are acceptable for constructing a dynamic model that is consistent with the natural sciences. In particular, the special role of water in the production and reproduction activities will be considered as an integral component. Water is generated in a separate water treatment process and is used to transport the unavoidable by-products of production and reproduction activities to a wastewater sector. In this respect, not only environmental protection aspects, but also the interrelation between the water requirements and the use of non-renewable resources for producing desired consumption goods will be highlighted.

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Product Description
This book provides a professional text for undergraduate and graduate agricultural and biological engineering students interested in soil and water conservation in rural and urban areas.Subject matter includes all the engineering phases of soil and urban areas.Subject matter includes all the engineering phases of soil and water conservation for a one or two semester course.The authors assume that the student has a basic knowledge of calculus, surveying, mechanics, hydraulics, soils, and computers.The analytical approach is emphasized and is supplemented by sufficient field data to illustrate practical applications.The text emphasizes engineering principles in the areas of erosion, drainage,irrigation, and water resources.Tables, charts, and diagrams have been included to provide practicing engineers with readily usable information as well.Many examples and problems are included to emphasize the design principles and to facilitate an understanding of the subject matter.Computer models and software program sources have been described where applicable in the text as well as access to some computer programs and models.In many instances, students will find using a spreadsheet advantageous for reviewing example problems and solving homework problems. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Good Book
Good reference, middle of the road in terms of required knowledge (not basic, but not reference only).A little light on some topics, but good overall.

a book to have for environmental engineers
used this book for my water resources engineering class in college. Now, its in my reference shelve at work.

Good book, but needs more information
This book is a good reference for those who works on erosion and sediment control.Needs more information concerning the type of construction necessary for erosion control, because this book touches this subjectfaintly.I rate it 4 stars because all other information is coveredextensively and clear.My interest in this book was for erosion control,but when I tried to look for the information, I was dissapointed.Butcomparing this book to other similar references, this is the best you canever find. ... Read more

Product Description
Economic issues arise in almost every water policy context. Water is of most concern when scarce, but physical scarcity is often overcome as human beings move water from place to place, sometimes creating monumental structures. The role that cost and economic value play in water resource allocation is implicit, but often poorly understood. This comprehensive volume clarifies the role of economics and offers material that can be applied to water resource allocation problems around the world. Topics covered include: groundwater, floods and droughts, in situ uses of water and institutions and law. ... Read more

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Text examines the fundamentals of geographic information systems for water resources and watershed management. Examines the fundamentals; demonstrates new approaches, techniques, and methods; and provides examples of real applications. For researchers and practitioners. Illustrated. Includes index and references. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Superficial and disjointed
There are many books on the subject of using GIS technologies for watershed management. This book attempts to take a little from each, but it does so poorly.

It adds nothing to the knowledge of this subject since it just borrows from all the others. It would have been better if the author asked experts in the field to write chapters.

The chapters are poorly organized. ... Read more

Product Description

Since the start of the twenty-first century there has been an unprecedented focus upon water as a key factor in the future of both society and environment. Water management lies at the heart of strategies of development as does the added the hazard of climate change.

Water Resources and Development provides a stimulating interdisciplinary introduction to the role of water resources in shaping opportunities and constraints for development. The book begins by charting the evolution of approaches to water management. It identifies an emerging polarization in the late twentieth century between ‘technical’ and ‘social’ strategies. In the past decade these two axes of policy debate have been further intersected by discussion of the scale at which management decisions should be made: the relative effectiveness of ‘global’ and ‘local’ governance of water. A variety of case studies elaborate this analytical framework, exemplifying four key development challenges: economic growth, poverty reduction, competition and conflict over water, and adaptation to climate change. Current ‘best practice’ for water management is examined, addressing strategies of water supply augmentation, the ecological implications of intensified use, and strategies of demand management guided by economic or political principles.  It is argued defining ‘successful’ water management and best practice requires first the establishment of development goals and the implicit trade-offs between water consumption and conservation.

This engaging and insightful text offers a unique interdisciplinary analysis by integrating scientific, engineering, social and political perspectives. This is an essential text for courses on development studies, geography, earth sciences and the environment.