People are increasingly aware of the role that water has in shaping
society and how it impacts quality of life. This is the first book to
provide a holistic perspective on water, capturing the full breadth of
the science, technology, policy, history, and future outlook for the
most important substance on earth -- written at a level accessible to
non-experts in each of these areas.
Water is shockingly bizarre in its properties and of unsurpassed
importance throughout human history, yet so mundane as to often be
invisible in our daily lives. In Water Is ..., the two Seths (Darling
and Snyder) walk the reader through all of the diverse perspectives on
water. The journey begins with an exploration of the mysteries of
water's properties on the molecular level, zooming out through its
central role at biological and geological scales. Next, the Seths travel
through the history of human civilization, highlighting the fundamental
part water has played throughout, including the complexities of water
policy, privatization, and pricing in today's world. Attention then
turns to technology and innovation, emphasizing the daunting challenges
dictated by increasing water stress and a changing climate as well as
the enticing opportunities to achieve a secure global water future.
Water is arguably the single most interdisciplinary topic. Students in
business, policy, history, science, and engineering can best position
themselves to make an impact by learning about the entire range of
diverse, unexpected, and fascinating angles on water.
