The Atlas of Water: Mapping the World's Most Critical Resource (The Earthscan Atlas)

The planet's finite supply of fresh water is under such pressure that soon it may be the most valuable commodity on earth. The new edition of this crucial and timely atlas shows water distribution worldwide, and reflects the latest thinking and emerging issues. With updated data throughout, the atlas covers a wide range of topics to map how our limited water resources are shared and used around the world, as well as the challenges posed to their management by today's unprecedented population and environmental pressures. It includes completely new maps on climate change, water for tourism, dam construction, biodiversity, and water management, commerce and legislation. With snapshots of especially vulnerable areas and major polluters as well the global picture, this is a unique resource for general readers as well as policy makers and students. Divided into six parts, each prefaced with an introductory essay, the atlas investigates the nature of the resource itself, through its uses in all kinds of human activity, to the vexed questions of how to manage water well and avoid the threat of 'water conflicts'.