Water and the Future of Humanity

This book examines actions scientists, policy makers and consumers can take to meet the water management challenges of a warming planet. It details a global water demand model up to the year 2050, accounting for socioeconomic trends and climate change.

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, TheNetherlands; 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.

Provides interdisciplinary, multi-sector perspectives on fresh water issues for the widest audience Broadens understanding of the nexus among humans, water, energy, urban dynamics, agriculture, the environment, and other drivers Demonstrates results of a global water demand model up to the year 2050, accounting for socioeconomic trends and climate change Explores water use and conservation challenges in agricultural and other critical sectors Illustrates the possibilities for embarking on a path towards a desirable and just water future Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

Autorentext

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

Inhalt

Our Water, Our Future.- Drivers of Water Demand, Course Changes, and Outcomes.- Water Management in a Variable and Changing Climate.- Water for a Healthy Environment.- Integrated Urban Water Resources Management.- Water and Food Security: Growing Uncertainties and New Opportunities.- Water and Energy.- Water Projections and Scenarios: Thinking About Our Future.- Our Water Future: Leadership and Individual Responsibility.