When the Rivers Run Dry, Fully Revised and Updated Edition: Water- the Defining Crisis of the Twenty-First Century

A new edition of the veteran science writer's groundbreaking work on the world's water crisis, featuring all-new reporting from the most recent global flashpoints Throughout history, rivers have been our foremost source of fresh water for both agriculture and individual consumption, but looming water scarcity threatens to cut global food production and cause conflict and unrest. In this visionary book, Fred Pearce takes readers around the world on a tour of the world's rivers to provide our most complete portrait yet of the growing global water crisis and its ramifications for us all. With vivid on-the-ground reporting, Pearce deftly weaves together the scientific, economic, and historic dimensions of the water crisis, showing us its complex origins--from waste to wrong-headed engineering projects to high-yield crop varieties that have saved developing countries from starvation but are now emptying their water reserves. Pearce argues that the solution to the growing worldwide water shortage is more efficiency and a new water ethic based on managing the water cycle for maximum social benefit rather than narrow self-interest. It was with the Colorado River that engineers first learned to control great rivers. But now the Colorado"s reservoirs are two-thirds empty. Great rivers like the Indus and the Nile, the Rio Grande and the Yellow River are running on empty. And economists say that by 2025, water scarcity will cut global food production by more than the current U.S. grain harvest. Veteran science correspondent Fred Pearce traveled to more than thirty countries while researching When the Rivers Run Dry; it is our most complete portrait yet of the growing world water crisis. Deftly weaving together the complicated scientific, economic, and historical dimensions of the crisis, he shows us its complex origins, from waste to wrong-headed engineering projects to high-yield crop varieties that have kept developing countries from starvation but are now emptying their water reserves. And Pearce"s vivid reportage reveals the personal stories behind failing rivers, barren fields, desertification, water wars, floods, and even the death of cultures. Finally, Pearce argues that the solution to the growing worldwide water shortage is not more and bigger dams but greater efficiency and a new water ethic based on managing the water cycle for maximum social benefit rather than narrow self-interest Throughout History, Rivers Have Been Our Foremost Source Of Fresh Water For Both Agriculture And Individual Consumption, But Looming Water Scarcity Threatens To Cut Global Food Production And Cause Conflict And Unrest. In This Visionary Book, Fred Pearce Takes Readers Around The World On A Tour Of The World's Rivers To Provide Our Most Complete Portrait Yet Of The Growing Global Water Crisis And Its Ramifications For Us All. With Vivid On-the-ground Reporting, Pearce Deftly Weaves Together The Scientific, Economic, And Historic Dimensions Of The Water Crisis, Showing Us Its Complex Origins--from Waste To Wrong-headed Engineering Projects To High-yield Crop Varieties That Have Saved Developing Countries From Starvation But Are Now Emptying Their Water Reserves. Pearce Argues That The Solution To The Growing Worldwide Water Shortage Is More Efficiency And A New Water Ethic Based On Managing The Water Cycle For Maximum Social Benefit Rather Than Narrow Self-interest.-- Fred Pearce. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 272-298) And Index. "Throughout history, rivers have been our foremost source of fresh water for both agriculture and individual consumption, but looming water scarcity threatens to cut global food production and cause conflict and unrest. In this visionary book, Fred Pearce takes readers around the world on a tour of the world's rivers to provide our most complete portrait yet of the growing global water crisis and its ramifications for us all. With vivid on-the-ground reporting, Pearce deftly weaves together the scientific, economic, and historic dimensions of the water crisis, showing us its complex origins--from waste to wrong-headed engineering projects to high-yield crop varieties that have saved developing countries from starvation but are now emptying their water reserves. Pearce argues that the solution to the growing worldwide water shortage is more efficiency and a new water ethic based on managing the water cycle for maximum social benefit rather than narrow self-interest."-- Amazon.com