Review by Choice Review
Barbier (economics, Colorado State Univ.) has written a volume incorporating research supporting his view of the causes of and solutions to water scarcity worldwide. He attributes the political and economic causes of water scarcity to poor resource management and the underpricing of water to its users. He advocates abandonment of the "hydraulic mission" paradigm of seeking new water sources when water becomes scarce. The water paradox is the current situation of most countries that still seek new water but cannot reduce their own use of it. Instead of management based on political boundaries, he suggests watershed-level management as well as the establishment of active water markets to force innovation and efficiencies. The author proposes a global commission to create international standards and cooperative relationships across political boundaries. Some of the book's strengths include its extensive English-language footnotes and bibliography; most examples and data come from countries outside North America. However, the book's content tends toward repetition, and it lacks criticism of the author's ideas. Scholarly journals might have been a more targeted and succinct venue for this material. Summing Up: Optional. Advanced undergraduates and above. --Louise S. Zipp, independent scholar
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
