Re-thinking water scarcity: Can science and technology solve the global water crisis?

This paper provides examples from the last fifty years of scientific and technological innovations that provide relatively easy, quick and affordable means of addressing key water management issues. Scientific knowledge and technological innovation can help open up previously closed decision‐making...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Natural resources forum 2008-08, Vol.32 (3), p.228-238
Main Authors: LOPEZ-GUNN, Elena, LLAMAS, Manuel Ramon
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Desalination
Earth sciences
Earth, ocean, space
Exact sciences and technology
Food security
Geographical information systems
GIS and Internet
Groundwater
Hydrology. Hydrogeology
Innovation
Innovations
Intensive use of groundwater
Internet
Natural resources
Remote sensing
Resource management
Sustainable development
Technological change
Technology
Virtual water
Water distribution
Water footprint
Water resources
Water resources management
Water security
Water supply
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Summary:This paper provides examples from the last fifty years of scientific and technological innovations that provide relatively easy, quick and affordable means of addressing key water management issues. Scientific knowledge and technological innovation can help open up previously closed decision‐making systems. Four of these tools are discussed in this paper: a) the opportunities afforded by virtual water trade; b) the silent revolution for beneficial use of groundwater; c) salt water desalination; and finally, d) the use of remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS). Together these advances are changing the options available to address water and food security that have been predominant for centuries in the minds of most water decision‐makers.
ISSN:0165-0203
1477-8947
DOI:10.1111/j.1477-8947.2008.00200.x