Confronting the Nation's Water Problems

Confronting the Nation's Water Problems PDF

Author: National Research Council

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 2004-11-14

Total Pages: 325

ISBN-13: 0309092582

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In order to confront the increasingly severe water problems faced by all parts of the country, the United States needs to make a new commitment to research on water resources. A new mechanism is needed to coordinate water research currently fragmented among nearly 20 federal agencies. Given the competition for water among farmers, communities, aquatic ecosystems and other users-as well as emerging challenges such as climate change and the threat of waterborne diseases-Confronting the Nation's Water Problems concludes that an additional $70 million in federal funding should go annually to water research. Funding should go specifically to the areas of water demand and use, water supply augmentation, and other institutional research topics. The book notes that overall federal funding for water research has been stagnant in real terms for the past 30 years and that the portion dedicated to research on water use and social science topics has declined considerably.

Handbook of Research on Water Sciences and Society

Handbook of Research on Water Sciences and Society PDF

Author: Vaseashta, Ashok

Publisher: IGI Global

Published: 2022-03-11

Total Pages: 728

ISBN-13: 1799873579

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Water supports three basic pillars of our life and survival: safety, security, and sustainability. Hence, it is extremely important to revisit the fundamental characteristics of water in order to discover additional information and the characteristics water has that will help uncover pathways to support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDG) to reduce inequality and make cities and human settlements more inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. Clean water is a critical component to meet such goals. While the fundamental physical and chemical properties of water continue to reveal new aspects, it is critical that we review these properties in the context of several recent applications and by case studies. The Handbook of Research on Water Sciences and Society provides the basics of water science, ways to sense/detect and mitigate contaminants, several regional case studies, and societal aspects of water, including the human right to access water. The book serves as a comprehensive knowledge base on the latest fundamental and applied research and scientific innovations regarding the relationships between society and water resources, safe and sustainable use of water, watershed stewardship, industrial application, and public health awareness. Covering a wide range of topics, it is an ideal resource for researchers, professionals, policymakers, scientists, practitioners, instructors, and students.

Society - Water - Technology

Society - Water - Technology PDF

Author: Reinhard F. Hüttl

Publisher: Springer

Published: 2015-11-02

Total Pages: 295

ISBN-13: 3319189719

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This book presents the results of the Interdisciplinary Research Group "Society – Water – Technology" of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities. It describes interdisciplinary evaluation criteria for major water engineering projects (MWEPs) and portrays an application to the Lower Jordan Valley (Middle East) and the Fergana Valley (Central Asia). Both areas are characterised by transboundary conflicts, by challenges due to demographic and climate change and by political and societal pressures. Based on the findings, the book provides recommendations for science and political decisions makers as well as for international financing institutions. In addition, it outlines research gaps from an interdisciplinary perspective. In the past, MWEPs have been used as an instrument to cope with the demands of growing populations and to enhance development progress. Experiences with MWEPs have shown that a purely technical approach has not always brought about the desired results. In many cases, MWEPs have even resulted in negative implications for society and environment. Therefore, improved management strategies and enhanced technologies for a sustainable water resource management system are a prerequisite to meet present and future challenges. And, moreover, the continuous evaluation and optimisation of these measures is, likewise, a must.

Water and Society

Water and Society PDF

Author: Darrell W. Pepper

Publisher: WIT Press

Published: 2012

Total Pages: 577

ISBN-13: 1845645561

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This book contains the papers presented at a conference co-organized by the University of Nevada-Las Vegas and the Wessex Institute of Technology to facilitate trans-disciplinary communication on issues related to the nature of water, and its use and exploitation by society. With adequate water supply becoming a critical issue in more and more area, \there is a great and urgent need to bridge the gap between the broad spectrum of social sciences and humanistic disciplines and the specialists in physical and natural sciences, biology, environmental sciences, and health. Many issues are also trans-national in nature and relate to rights of states and hence it is essential to discuss these at international level to arrive at equitable and binding solutions that will ensure the rights of society to quality water supplies. The book discusses The nature of water; Water as a human right; Water as the source of life; Water in a changing climate; Future water demands and adaptation strategies; Water resources contamination; Surface and sub-surface water resources; Irrigation and desertification; Water, sanitation and health; Transnational water rights; Legislation and controls; Water through the ages; Lessons to be learnt; and Water and disaster management.

Water Conflicts

Water Conflicts PDF

Author: Mark Zeitoun

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Published: 2020-04-02

Total Pages: 176

ISBN-13: 0190864095

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Water Conflicts applies cutting-edge thinking to identify pathways that can transform complex water conflicts. It challenges existing power-blind and politics-lite analysis that is very deeply-held and recurring in debates that suggest causal links between scarcity and violence-or peace. This book presents a much needed revision of transboundary water analysis, leading to a rethink on the way water is used and contested, with a focus on harm experienced both by the most vulnerable water users and the environment. Recognizing that conflicts are never static, Mark Zeitoun, Naho Mirumachi, and Jeroen Warner's "transformative analysis" provides multi-disciplinary tools and perspectives to understand and address the complexities involved. The approach is stress-tested through dozens of examples around the globe, and it incorporates collective evidence and knowledge of the London Water Research Group. The insights on water diplomacy will be most welcome by analysts, activists, diplomats, and all others tackling water conflicts. Seeking to motivate improvement of transboundary water arrangements towards further equity and sustainability as a practical agenda, the book is a fresh antidote to the detached role that researchers and policymakers often play.

HISTORY, DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF WATER RESOURCES - Volume I

HISTORY, DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF WATER RESOURCES - Volume I PDF

Author:

Publisher: EOLSS Publications

Published: 2010-05-15

Total Pages: 464

ISBN-13: 1848264194

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These volumes are part of Encyclopedia of Water Sciences, Engineering and Technology Resources in the global Encyclopedia of Life Support Systems (EOLSS), which is an integrated compendium of twenty one Encyclopedias. The two volumes present state-of-the art subject matter of various aspects of History, Development and Management of Water Resources These volumes are aimed at the following five major target audiences: University and College Students Educators, Professional Practitioners, Research Personnel and Policy and Decision Makers.

Water Interactions with Energy, Environment, Food and Agriculture - Volume II

Water Interactions with Energy, Environment, Food and Agriculture - Volume II PDF

Author: Maria Concepcion Donoso

Publisher: EOLSS Publications

Published: 2009-02-25

Total Pages: 438

ISBN-13: 1848261969

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Water Interactions with Energy, Environment, Food and Agriculture is a component of Encyclopedia of Water Sciences, Engineering and Technology Resources in the global Encyclopedia of Life Support Systems (EOLSS), which is an integrated compendium of twenty one Encyclopedias. The theme discusses water's importance to energy generation, the environment, food, and agriculture. It begins with an analysis of the interrelations between water and the environment. Consideration is given to the relationship between water and human health. Water's dynamic role in the food production process; Ecosystem Character; Water Quality and Environment; Climate Change and Water Resources; Water Resources For Agricultural and Food Production; Water Balance in Agriculture Areas; Water Contamination from Rural Production Systems; Water Interactions with Human Development ;Economic Development; and Cultural Development are considered. These two volumes are aimed at the following five major target audiences: University and College students Educators, Professional practitioners, Research personnel and Policy analysts, Managers, and Decision makers and NGOs

Water and Conflict: Incorporating Peacebuilding Into Water Development

Water and Conflict: Incorporating Peacebuilding Into Water Development PDF

Author: Jason Gehrig

Publisher: Catholic Relief Services

Published: 2009-08-14

Total Pages: 149

ISBN-13: 161492029X

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Water is a simple but necessary part of life. Yet much of the world's population lacks adequate clean water, either because of physical scarcity or because they are denied equitable access to water resources. Such conditions inevitably breed conflict. Water-related violence is common in many parts of the world and is generally expected to increase in the years ahead.This document is intended to assist water development practitioners, civil society peacebuilders and human rights advocates seeking to integrate water and peacebuilding in their work. The purpose is twofold: to furnish a conceptual framework for understanding problems of scarcity and equity, and to provide practical guidance and tools for action.The text distills an extensive literature on water, conflict, and cooperation produced in recent years by researchers and development practitioners. Case studies and reflections are included to keep theory grounded in reality.