Clarke R. & King J., The atlas of water: mapping the world’s most critical resource

Abstract

3rd ed. 18 WATER FOOTPRINT: Industrialized lifestyles involve the consumption of large amounts of "virtual" water embedded in foodstuffs and in manufactured items. Climate change, €population increase, €and the demands made by the growing number of people adopting urban lifestyles and western diets€threaten the world's supply of freshwater, edging us closer to a global€water€crisis, with dire implications for agriculture, the economy, the environment, and human health. Completely revised and updated, €The€Atlas€of€Water€is a compelling visual guide to the state of this life-sustaining resource. Using vivid graphics, maps, and charts, it explores the complex human interaction with€water€around€the world. This vibrant€atlas€addresses all the pressing issues c. Cover; Contents; Introduction; Acknowledgements; Glossary; A; B; C; D; E; F; G; I; L; M; P; R; S; U; W; Useful Conversions; PART 1 A FINITE RESOURCE; 1 GLOBAL WATER: The volume of water in the world never changes, but only 2.5% is fresh, and more than two-thirds of this is unavailable for human use.; 2 WATER'S UNEQUAL DISTRIBUTION: The amount of water that falls as rain, filling lakes, rivers, streams and aquifers, remains constant. At present we are still using less than a third. 3 WATER SHORTAGE: The spectre of water shortage is less a global phenomenon than one threatening particular regions and localities. 4 RISING DEMAND: Around 4,000 cubic kilometres of fresh water are withdrawn every year -- equivalent to roughly 1,700 litres per person per day.; 5 DWINDLING SUPPLY: About a fifth of water used comes from aquifers. Some are replenished, but many are non-renewable and are being irreversibly mined. 6 COMPETITION AND CONFLICT: As populations grow, and more water is extracted per person, there is increasing competition and conflict over the exploitation of river waters and aquifers. 7 ENVIRONMENTAL SECURITY: Aquatic ecosystems make a vital contribution to environmental security.; PART 2 WATER AND CLIMATE CHANGE; 8 ICE AND SNOW MELT: Climate change is likely to affect river flow in many complex ways.; 9 STORMS AND FLOODS: Life-threatening and destructive floods are becoming more frequent and affecting an increasing number of people. 10 DROUGHTS: The world's drylands will become drier as a result of climate change. 11 RIVER BASIN STRESSES: Seasonal changes in river flow and temperature of fresh water affect water quality.; PART 3 WATER FOR LIVING; 12 WATER FOR DRINKING: Everyone has access to a source of drinking water but in an increasingly crowded world most natural sources are contaminated.; 13 WATER FOR FOOD: All food production depends on water, so water stress leads to stress on the global and family food basket. 14 WATER FOR SANITATION: Many lower-cost sanitation systems in the developing world use no water or very little. 15 WATER IN THE CITY: The increasing number of people living in towns and cities is exerting huge pressure on municipal infrastructure and services.; 16 WATER AT HOME: There are huge discrepancies in the amount of water people use in their home, depending on lifestyle and availability.; 17 WATER AND DISEASE: Water's critical role in hygiene and sanitation, and in the spread of diarrhoeal disease, confers on it a central place in public health.; PART 4 WATER FOR ECONOMIC PRODUCTION.