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Press releases
Press Release
Tuesday 1 July 2008
Water
Harriman House
Forget oil... The big problem will be water
A new book published by Harriman House this summer looks at the role water plays in our lives and how it will shape the future. Robin Griffiths and William Houston - who in Future Storm predicted the present political, economic, commodity and climatic turmoil - have turned their attention to one of the biggest challenges being faced across the globe today.
Up to the turn of the century the world's population had grown with water abundant in most developing countries. Then everything changed. Weather and seismic patterns have altered and the result is that around a fifth of the world's population will receive much less rain than expected.
The effect?
- A rise in seismic activity leading to more tsunamis, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, which in turn cause climatic shifts.
- A large increase in refugees forced to seek shelter in other countries.
- Potential conflicts over water.
- An immediate need to reduce the amount of water currently allowed to run to waste.
- An urgent need to develop and invest in recycling, desalination and intelligent irrigation and new fuels, such as hydrogen and cold fusion.
William Houston says: "We are entering a period of considerable social, economic and political dislocation that is present on very few radar screens. Our book suggests a ten-point plan designed to mitigate some of the greatest dangers."
In addressing these issues, the authors propose solutions to the problems we are about to face, or are already grappling with. This fascinating book sets out the power of water to enrich or destroy the lives of millions.
Water: The Facts
- Globally, water consumption is doubling every 20 years. By 2025, it is estimated that about one third of the global population will not have access to adequate drinking water.
- One third of all arable land in the world is being progressively destroyed by topsoil thinning, overtilling, salt deposits or just running out of water such as increasing desertification.
- Less than 3% of all water is fresh, and of that the vast majority is tied up in the ice caps and groundwater, leaving a very small percentage immediately available in lakes and rivers.
- In the world today 400 million people are suffering from gastroenteritis and another 200 million from bilharzias, both because of contaminated water.
- The Middle East is becoming one of the driest regions in the world. 88% of the water entering Arab lands is controlled from non-Arab sources.
- Four hundred of China's six hundred cities are suffering from water shortages. China has 21 per cent of humanity but controls just 7 per cent of the water supply. In 2006, 350,000 people died of water pollution in China.
- A few hundred square miles of the Himalayas are the source for all the major rivers of Asia - the Ganges, the Yellow River, the Yangtze - where half the world’s population lives.
Ends
ABOUT THE AUTHORS:
William Houston joined the Royal Navy at the end of the Second World War, and has also acted as industrial advisor to a City merchant bank. He has written a number of books, the first of which was Avoiding Adversity, published in 1989 warning businessmen of the coming recession.
Robin Griffiths is currently the Technical Strategist for Cazenove Capital, having previously worked for James Capel and Rathbones. Robin has been a regular on CNN, CNBC, Reuters and Bloomberg TV.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
More details can be found online at: www.harriman-house.com/water
For further information on this book or its author, please contact Helen McCusker in the PR department at Harriman House:
Tel: +44 (0)1730 233885
Email: pr@harriman-house.com
Harriman House Ltd, 3A Penns Road, Petersfield, Hampshire, GU32 2EW
Water
 | Water
The final resource: How the politics of water will affect the world
By Robin Griffiths, William Houston
Published: 7th July 2008
|
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