Review:
From Publishers Weekly
Water, water everywhere? Yes, but…as the authors of this atlas graphically
demonstrate, even in water-rich areas of the world, clean water is a finite
resource. And for one billion people—one-sixth of the world’s
population—fresh, clean water is virtually unavailable. Plentiful maps,
graphs and tables illustrate the cycle of precipitation and condensation,
the percentage of cropland watered by irrigation around the world and the
way increasing use of chemicals in agriculture is destroying freshwater
sources. A section called "Re-Shaping the Natural World" examines the
destructive role of dams and other water systems, while another section
looks at the potential for international conflict over scarce water
resources in regions such as the already volatile Middle East. But, looking
to the future, the authors (Clarke is an editor for the World Meteorological
Organization and King has worked on many environmental atlases) don’t see
privatization and the market as offering more equitable water distribution.
Water is a human right, not a commodity, they argue; they recommend
"integrated water management and public participation" as the keys to
solving the world’s water problems. This concise atlas is a useful guide for
students or anyone who wants to visualize the world’s water supplies and
their use and abuse.
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