... One issue, [Steven] Solomon says, is that water's cost doesn't reflect its true economic value. While a society's transition from oil may be painful, water is irreplaceable. Yet water costs far less per gallo---- and even less than that for some. "In some cases, where there are large political subsidies, largely in agriculture, it does not [cost very much]," Solomon says. "In many cases, irrigated agriculture is getting its water for free. And we in the cities are paying a lot, and industries are also paying an awful lot. That's unfair. It's inefficient to the allocation of water to the most productive economic ends." <...> "I think there's plenty of water in the world, even in the poorest and most water-famished country, for that 13 gallons to be given for free to individuals -- and let them pay beyond that," he says. <...> Solomon notes some good water news, too. The United States has made significant progress in curbing its water use, thanks to market forces and legislation such as the Clean Water Act."Our water use between 1900 and 1975 actually tripled relative to population growth," he says. "Since 1975 to the present day, it has flat-lined. And we still had a population increase of about 30 percent and our GDP continued to grow. So it's an amazing increase in water productivity."
... One issue, [Steven] Solomon says, is that water's cost doesn't reflect its true economic value. While a society's transition from oil may be painful, water is irreplaceable. Yet water costs far less per gallo---- and even less than that for some.
"In some cases, where there are large political subsidies, largely in agriculture, it does not [cost very much]," Solomon says. "In many cases, irrigated agriculture is getting its water for free. And we in the cities are paying a lot, and industries are also paying an awful lot. That's unfair. It's inefficient to the allocation of water to the most productive economic ends."
<...>
"I think there's plenty of water in the world, even in the poorest and most water-famished country, for that 13 gallons to be given for free to individuals -- and let them pay beyond that," he says.
Solomon notes some good water news, too. The United States has made significant progress in curbing its water use, thanks to market forces and legislation such as the Clean Water Act.
"Our water use between 1900 and 1975 actually tripled relative to population growth," he says. "Since 1975 to the present day, it has flat-lined. And we still had a population increase of about 30 percent and our GDP continued to grow. So it's an amazing increase in water productivity."
Reading Steven Solomon's excellent new book Water: The Epic Struggle for Wealth, Power, and Civilization I was reminded again of the connection between the water challenge and the field to which I dedicated my life -- energy security. It is widely accepted that water shortage can -- and most probably will -- lead to military conflict, mass migration, food shortages and a host of other security challenges. What is less appreciated is the connection between water and energy and how intertwined are the energy challenge and the water challenge we are facing today globally. ...
Reading Steven Solomon's excellent new book Water: The Epic Struggle for Wealth, Power, and Civilization I was reminded again of the connection between the water challenge and the field to which I dedicated my life -- energy security.
It is widely accepted that water shortage can -- and most probably will -- lead to military conflict, mass migration, food shortages and a host of other security challenges. What is less appreciated is the connection between water and energy and how intertwined are the energy challenge and the water challenge we are facing today globally. ...
ie water's role as an energy vector "Any economic unit can emit money. The serious problem is to get it accepted" Hyman Minsky
ie water's role as an energy vector
is that relationship also at least indirectly related to the relationship between water usage and GDP growth:
Will The Next War Be Fought Over Water? | NPR
