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WATER: The Blood of the Earth - Exploring Sustainable Water Management for the New Millennium

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Allerd Stikker describes in detail what a person can achieve motivated to solve the looming shortages of water. He shows that macro and micro solutions are definitely within reach. Macro solutions are about developing desalination technologies that do not use energy intensive processes. Many of the mega cities of the future are close to the sea. It appears to be impossible to satisfy their water requirements using river water. Therefore desalination is the only solution. Micro solutions are innovative solutions that combined with micro credit are affordable anywhere also in poor countries. It is remarkably difficult to make rapid progress. The book describes several projects to illustrate why. Many solutions require the involvement of many organisations all with their own ideas on how to proceed.
It is surprising that private sector companies have not been more active. One obstacle is that many people and governments believe that water should be free like air. Water is different from air. Water availability requires investments at the macro level, in water treatment and production facilities but also in education and distribution. To make rapid progress requires that people accept to pay for water use.
Allerd Stikker was also motivated by his spiritual interest especially in Taoism. He describes how in 1985 his water awareness started with Taoism when he made an environmental study in Taiwan. In 2007 he attended a workshop in a newly restored Taoist temple in mainland China where the "Quinling Declaration" was signed stating that Harmony between Heaven, Earth and Humanity is the highest aim of Taoists. Allerd Stikker played an important role in sponsoring the restoration and the focus on sustainable development.
He finishes the book with an inspiring sentence looking at the sea, "Seeing water, being water, I feel part of Creation. I am not alone."