Running Out of Water

by Peter Rogers and Susan Leal

Published 17 August 2010
While many believe that water is a renewable resource that will never go away, the truth is the availability of this essential element is delining. Global warming creates moonscapes where there were once snow packed mountains. Population growth has pushed demand straining our current supply almost ensuring that water will become as coveted as oil in the 21st century. As our supply of this precious resource declines, there are critical answers to answer: Can we learn to conserve? Can we find ways to renew this resource? Do we have the political will to act wisely before it is too late? Peter Rogers and Susan Leal are experts who have decades of experience between them dealing with the conversation and protection this precious resource. Through the use of case studies or "success stories", Rogers and Leal explain in accessible terms the water world with its all scientific, economic and political complications. With these success stories, they provide a prescription to address this crisis and manage future needs.
Deftly weaving science, politics, economics and human foibles, Running Out of Water offers a comprehensive look at the crisis - from the West coast where mighty rivers are being diverted for California's agriculture to Gulf coast of Florida where the snowbird retreats have grown into major metro areas outpacing their natural resources; to the traditionally thirsty parts of the world like southern India where the water is available but infrastructure to take it to the tap is limited or nonexistent. Focusing on solutions, Running out of Water lays out the political leadership, policy action and technology tools required to sustain out water supplies.