The Atlas of Water

There is virtually no area of life that does not in one way or another depend on water. It quenches our thirst, fuels agriculture, provides energy and recreation, sustains non-human life and is part of virtually anything humans do and have. In short, as Maggie Black and Jannet King, authors of The Atlas of Water note: “Water means life.”

As a result, optimists describe water as the blue gold of the 21st century; doomsayers it will spark major conflict. Whichever camp one belongs to, mapping the world’s water, in maps, sidebars and illustrations and noting that management rather the notion of a depleting resource like in the case of oil is key to stimulating informed debate. And that is exactly what Black and King have done.

In six chapters, they look at water at water as a resource, the environmental pressures on water, water’s effect on quality of life and as en economic driver, damaged water and ensuring that water continues to maintain and enhance life in the future. In the process, they focus of pricing mechanisms as tools to for conservation and maintenance, the emotional debate on privatization and ways to prevent and correct damage being done to the resource.

Distribution is a key issue in ensuring supply. That is complicated by the fact that a majority of humans live in areas with an inadequate water supply on a global scale. Populous nations like India and China have relatively small proportions of the world’s water. India accounts for 16 percent of the world’s population but only three percent of its water, China has a 19 percent share of the world’s population, but only six percent of its water. The same is true for major metropolitan areas like Los Angeles or Perth. The Atlas of Water identifies the problem but also shows how it can be addressed.

The Atlas of Water is not meant to be an enjoyable read. Rather it is a fascinating encyclopedia of water meant to be a guide and reference for water professionals as well as educators

• The Atlas of Water by Maggie Black and Jannet King, University of California Press