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About this book
In 20 years time, some three of the eight billion people on earth will, if present trends continue, lack access to sufficient drinkable water. Already, half that number do not and another two billion lack clean water generally. The rest of humanity faces a degradation in fresh water quality due to agricultural and industrial pollution. And there is no body of international law regulating the right and access to fresh water supplies. The author looks at why. He exposes how corporate interests prevent an adequate response, and sets out a cogent critique of a market-oriented system that sees water as a commodity rather than a precious community resource and fundamental human right. In an urgent call to action, his book calls for a world waters contract which would enshrined fresh water as an essential good to which all people have a right. It should be controlled by communities in the public interest, and with international rules for its equitable management and distribution. He calls for round the world mobilisation for these demands, and for an immediate programme of fresh water provision for the rural and urban poor.
Contents
The role of politics - a preface, Mario Soares. Part 1 Achieving the first revolution of the 21st century: more than a democratic reconquest of information - the road to financial disarmament; the basic meaning of the "water revolution" - a right to life for all; we don't have time to wait until the year 2030; the fundamental questions. Part 2 The obstacle - the lords of water: warlords; money lords; technology lords. Part 3 Building a different future - a world water contract: the world water contract; three major critical situations; towards the world contract; the founding principles; principal objectives ; priority targets; means and instruments of targeted action. Part 4 Conclusions. The Water Manifesto - a summary. Appendices. Annexes: international professional organisations; United Nations agencies. Lists of tables and figures: principal international conferences ion water, 1997-98 (to be updated); main declarations on water; some major armed conflicts over water; inner-state conflicts relating to water; the global spread of a water company - the case of La Lyonnaise; water collection, purification and distribution - the case of the EU; the global water problem - the three leading critical situations.
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