Synopsis
Argues that a long history of mismanagement of water resources has endangered our water supplies, suggests ways to conserve water, and discusses the economic, political, and social aspects of water
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
About the Author
Sandra Postel lives in Amherst, Massachusetts, where she directs the Global Water Policy Project. She is a Pew Fellow in Conservation and the Environment and a former vice president for research at the Worldwatch Institute. Her previous book, Last Oasis, now appears in eight languages and was the basis for a PBS television documentary.
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
By far the greatest gains lie in redirecting water used in cities and towns for a second use on farms. Though typically viewed as pollutants, most wastewater constituents are nutrients that belong on the land, where they originated. Farmers worldwide spend heavily on chemical fertilizers to give their crops nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium that domestic wastewater contains in large amounts....By using municipal water twice-once for domestic use and again for irrigation-would-be pollutants become valuable fertilizers, rivers and lakes are protected from contamination, the irrigated land boosts crop production, and the reclaimed water becomes a reliable, local supply.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Other Popular Editions of the Same Title
Search results for Last Oasis: Facing Water Scarcity (Worldwatch Environmental...
Stock Image
Last Oasis: Facing Water Scarcity (Worldwatch Environmental Alert)
Published by
W. W. Norton & Company, Incorpor, 1992
ISBN 10: 0393309614
ISBN 13: 9780393309614
Used
paperback
Seller: Once Upon A Time Books, Siloam Springs, AR, U.S.A.
Seller rating 4 out of 5 stars
paperback. Condition: Acceptable. This is a used book. It may contain highlighting/underlining and/or the book may show heavier signs of wear . It may also be ex-library or without dustjacket. This is a used book. It may contain highlighting/underlining and/or the book may show heavier signs of wear . It may also be ex-library or without dustjacket. Seller Inventory # mon0003312398
Stock Image
The Last Oasis : Facing Water Scarcity
Published by
Norton & Company, Incorporated, W. W., 1992
ISBN 10: 0393309614
ISBN 13: 9780393309614
Used
Softcover
Seller: Better World Books: West, Reno, NV, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Good. Pages intact with minimal writing/highlighting. The binding may be loose and creased. Dust jackets/supplements are not included. Stock photo provided. Product includes identifying sticker. Better World Books: Buy Books. Do Good. Seller Inventory # GRP92243102
Stock Image
Last Oasis: Facing Water Scarcity (Worldwatch Environmental Alert)
Published by
W. W. Norton & Company, Incorporated, 1992
ISBN 10: 0393309614
ISBN 13: 9780393309614
Used
Softcover
Seller: Wonder Book, Frederick, MD, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Very Good. Very Good condition. A copy that may have a few cosmetic defects. May also contain light spine creasing or a few markings such as an owner's name, short gifter's inscription or light stamp. Seller Inventory # W07K-01992
Stock Image
Last Oasis: Facing Water Scarcity (Worldwatch Environmental Alert)
Seller: Midtown Scholar Bookstore, Harrisburg, PA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Very Good. crisp clean w/light shelfwear/edgewear - may have remainder mark Standard-sized. Seller Inventory # 0393309614-01
Stock Image
Last Oasis: Facing Water Scarcity
Published by
W W Norton & Co Inc, Scranton, Pennsylvania, U.S.A., 1992
ISBN 10: 0393309614
ISBN 13: 9780393309614
Used
Paperback
Seller: Lowry's Books, Three Rivers, MI, U.S.A.
Seller rating 4 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Very Good. No Jacket. The Worldwatch Environmental Alert Series. Size: 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. Seller Inventory # 014443
Stock Image
Last Oasis
Seller: Library House Internet Sales, Grand Rapids, OH, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Softcover. Condition: Very Good. No Jacket. "It is no coincidence that human civilization sprang from river valleys and floodplains. Access to water has been crucial to our food security and to the growth of cities and industries. In recent times, the fortunate have come to take water for granted: Endless supplies seem to flow from dams, reservoirs, wells, and diversion projects." "But for decades now we have wasted and mismanaged the world's water. Engineering projects, ever larger as demands spiral upward, have created an illusion of plenty even in the midst of scarcity. Gross underpricing has concealed the need for careful management. We have come to view water strictly as a resource that is there for the taking, rather than as a living system that drives the natural world on which we depend." "We are entering a new era - an era of water scarcity. The signs are evident the world over: shrinking lakes and seas, depleted river flows, and falling groundwater levels. Chronic shortages could unfold this decade in much of Africa, northern China, pockets of India, Mexico, the Middle East, and parts of western North America." "Already 26 countries have too little water to support their populations sustainably. We hear rumblings of potential war over water in the Middle East. And competition for supplies is brewing between city-dwellers and farmers around Beijing, New Delhi, Phoenix, and other water-short areas." "In this, the third volume in the Worldwatch Environmental Alert Series, Sandra Postel examines the limits - ecological, economic, and political - of water. Postel, vice president for research of the Worldwatch Institute, writes with authority and clarity of these emerging threats to our future. And, perhaps most important, she offers a disarmingly sensible way out of such struggles." "Last Oasis discloses that the technologies and know-how exist today to make every drop of water go further, decreasing the likelihood of both scarcity and conflict. Postel shows us that with currently available methods, agriculture - which uses the lion's share of fresh-water resources - could cut its demands by 10-50 percent, industries by 40-90 percent, and cities by one-third. All this with no sacrifice of economic output or quality of life." "Successful, cost-effective strategies are already up and running. Boston, Massachusetts, reduced its water use 16 percent in four years, thanks largely to home water-saving devices, industrial recycling, and repairing leaks - at a cost only a third to half as much as conventional proposals to expand the supply. Some 70 percent of Israel's sewage gets treated and reused to irrigate 19,000 hectares of farmland. In Germany, state-of-the-art paper manufacturing plants use 100 times less water to produce each kilogram of paper than older factories elsewhere." "In much of the world, it turns out, ways to conserve water and use it more efficiently represent the least costly and most environmentally sound options for achieving water balance. And so far, Last Oasis discovers, they have barely been tapped." "A key challenge is to reform government policies that now price water far below its worth, perpetuating the illusion of plenty. Beyond such practical measures, Postel calls for a new water ethic - one that makes the protection of water ecosystems a central aim in all we do, and that compels us to use less whenever we can, and share what we have." "If we fail to understand the limits of water, Postel reminds us, we may learn the hard way the truth of Ben Franklin's adage, "When the well's dry, we know the worth of water.""--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved Former library book. Solid binding. Please note the image in this listing is a stock photo and may not match the covers of the actual item. Ex-Library. Seller Inventory # 123683404
Stock Image
Last Oasis: Facing Water Scarcity (Worldwatch Environmental Alert)
Published by
W. W. Norton & Company, Incorporated, 1992
ISBN 10: 0393309614
ISBN 13: 9780393309614
Used
Softcover
Seller: BookHolders, Towson, MD, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Good. [ No Hassle 30 Day Returns ][ Ships Daily ] [ Underlining/Highlighting: NONE ] [ Writing: NONE ] [ Edition: reprint ] Publisher: W W Norton & Co Inc Pub Date: 11/1/1992 Binding: Paperback Pages: 240 reprint edition. Seller Inventory # 6724249
Seller Image
Last Oasis Facing Water Scarcity
Published by
W. W. Norton & Company, Incorporated, New York, NY, 1992
ISBN 10: 0393309614
ISBN 13: 9780393309614
Used
Paperback
First Edition
Seller: True Oak Books, Highland, NY, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Good. First Edition; First Printing. Worldwatch Environmental Alert; 0.75 X 5.25 X 8 inches; 239 pages; light markings on about 30% of pages. Moderate foxing on the top exterior edge of textblock. Some speckles on the fore-edge. Very slightly cocked spine. Good condition otherwise. No other noteworthy defects. ; - Your satisfaction is our priority. We offer free returns and respond promptly to all inquiries. Your item will be packaged with care and ship on the same or next business day. Buy with confidence. Seller Inventory # HVD-68512-A-0
Stock Image
Last Oasis: Facing Water Scarcity (Worldwatch Environmental Alert)
Seller: Robinson Street Books, IOBA, Binghamton, NY, U.S.A.
Seller rating 4 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: As New. Prompt Shipment, shipped in Boxes, Tracking PROVIDEDFine. First edition. Seller Inventory # bing7393843
Stock Image
Last Oasis: Facing Water Scarcity (Worldwatch Environmental Alert)
Seller: BennettBooksLtd, Los Angeles, CA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
paperback. Condition: New. In shrink wrap. Looks like an interesting title! Seller Inventory # Q-0393309614