The authors of this important and timely book are experts in a broad range of water issues. Together, they make it clear
that there is no question that water scarcity is becoming a major issue on our planet. The most important problems are all
well-known. These include, inter alia: a rapidly growing population with associated changes in lifestyle and consumption
patterns; competition between sectors, such as industry, agriculture and energy for precious land and water resources;
inadequate access to water supply and sanitation services for what is now becoming known as the ‘bottom billion’ on
this planet; the failure to adequately address the issue of indigenous water rights and include marginalized populations in
water decision-making processes; matters related to environmental protection; and, growing tension over transboundary
water issues. All of these problems will to some extent be magnified by the growing realization that past and current
hydrological patterns will no longer be sufficient or a reliable guide for dealing with future hydro-climatic scenarios.