The book starts with the suggestion that the world might soon face a water crisis similar to the energy crisis in the 1970s. Too much water is used in an unsustainable way.
| Title | The last oasis : facing water scarcity |
| Publication Type | Book |
| Year of Publication | 1992 |
| Authors | Postel, S |
| Secondary Title | Worldwatch environmental alert series |
| Pagination | 239 p.: fig., tab. |
| Date Published | 1992-01-01 |
| Publisher | W.W. Norton |
| Place Published | New York, NY, USA |
| ISBN Number | 0393309614 |
| Keywords | appropriate technology, economic aspects, policies, social aspects, wastewater recycling, water conservation, water resources management, water reuse, water shortage, water use |
| Abstract | The book starts with the suggestion that the world might soon face a water crisis similar to the energy crisis in the 1970s. Too much water is used in an unsustainable way. In order to keep up with the increasing demand more groundwater is pumped up, more dams are built, and more rivers are diverted. The author calls for a completely new approach to water. First of all the efficiency of water use should be raised. With existing technology agriculture water demand could be lowered by 10-50 per cent, industrial demand by 40-90 per cent. Cities could use up to a third less without any negative effects on welfare. Secondly, wastewater could be put to a more productive use, and lastly small-scale projects need more consideration if supply needs to be expanded. Part of the new approach to water resources is the acceptance of the obligation to protect water's many ecological functions. |
| Notes | Includes index and references |
| Custom 1 | 202.3, 276 |
