Posted
31st August 2001
Water Of Life Damned
by Riccardo Petrella
AOne
and a half billion people across the world lack drinking water
and another two lack clean water generally. In 20 years time
these numbers will have doubled. Current industrial and agricultural
practices have left our streams polluted, and groundwater contaminated.
And we lack a body of international law regulating the right
to fresh water supplies. Should access to water be a universal
human right? Should the provision of water be managed by privatized
corporations?
Riccardo
Petrella analyses the obstacles in the way of an adequate response
to these issues and sets out a cogent critique of a market-oriented
system that sees water as a commodity rather than a precious
community resource and fundamental human right.
This
book calls for a world water contract enshrining fresh water
as an essential good to which all people have a right. It should
be controlled by communities in the public interest, and with
international rules for its equitable management and distribution.
He also calls on citizens, NGOs and parliamentarians all over
the world to mobilize around these demands, as well as for an
immediate programme of fresh water provision for the rural and
urban poor.
Cost
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