The Water Manifesto: Arguments for a World Water ContractIn 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. |
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The Water Manifesto: Arguments for a World Water Contract Riccardo Petrella No preview available - 2001 |
Common terms and phrases
access to water Africa agriculture Asia basic access basins campaign capital cent cities companies conference cooperation corporations costs crisis cubic metres culture Dag Hammarskjöld Foundation developed countries distribution drinking water economic and social economic asset ecosystem Earth Environment especially example groups heritage human community interests International Water investment involved irrigation l'eau large dams Latin America Lyonnaise des eaux mainly major management of water Mario Soares million money lords Nestlé Organization ownership Paris Peace through Water political pollution population profit Programme regions relation to water responsibility Riccardo Petrella scarcity society Sustainable Development technology lords Third World tion trends Twenty-first Century United Nations urban Vivendi waste Water and Sanitation water crisis water industry water management Water Manifesto water policy water privatization water problem water resources water services water supply World Bank World Development Movement World Water Contract World Water Council World Water Forum