Product Description

Robin Griffiths and William Houston - the co-authors of Future Storm who in 2006 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: Water. Up to the turn of the century the world's population had grown with water abundant in most developing countries. Then everything changed. Ocean oscillations (which affect the weather patterns) have altered, leading to droughts in areas that were expecting rain, and flooding for those previously anticipating arid conditions. The result is that around a fifth of the world's population will receive much less rain than expected. What effect will this have? - A third of arable land going out of production, reducing yields and increasing prices. - 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. The authors address all of these issues and propose solutions to the problems we are about to face, or are already grappling with. This book sets out the power of water to enrich or destroy the lives of millions.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #140688 in Books
• Published on: 2008-07-07
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 165 pages

Review
"I award five stars to a treatise that explains with limpid clarity the danger we are all in from wasting and polluting our greatest and most fundamental resource water. The authors set out simply their educated view of what the world is facing if it doesn t prepare itself for the scarcity that is coming, even while they give us hope by explaining what can be done. If it was up to me, I d make the leaders of every country read this alarming yet excellent book." --Diana Norman

About the Author
William Houston joined the Royal Navy at the end of the Second World War and specialised in weapons. After leaving the Service, he qualified as a Chartered Engineer and in administration before embarking on a career as a 'company doctor' - advising a large range of industrial and commercial concerns.

There followed a period acting as industrial advisor to a City merchant bank.
His first book Avoiding Adversity was published in 1989 warning businessmen of the coming recession, shortly to be followed by Meltdown and Riding the Business Cycle that warned of the growing disruption that would take place early in the next century.

Robin Griffiths joined Rathbones in 2004 from HSBC Investment Bank. He is a committee member and former chairman of the international Federation of Technical Analysts, and former chairman, now fellow, of the British Society of Technical Analysts.

A keen sailor, Robin has crossed the Atlantic five times, setting a new british record in 1984 with Sir Robin Knox-Johnston.

Customer Reviews

Eye-opening facts but with some flakey reasoning
The authors have written a thought-provoking book with some genuinely useful information. Above all, they bring into sharp focus the dilemma facing us all where water as a resource is concerned; e.g. if you live in Eire, you won't be considering water shortages, but have you considered what effect refugee/migration may have on the country? (Drought-stricken nations may seek refuge from desertification and/or conflict, itself a direct result of the loss of land owing to drought).

However, much of the authors assertions are based on long-range climatic cycles; e.g. the Raymond Wheeler 500-year cycle, and that was devised in the 1920's - you don't need a big education to see that the theory is deeply flawed (even the authors state that there are holes in it). They also dismiss by inference modern day human impact on climate change - a contentious issue and unproven, but with the weight of evidence for it (read "Six Degrees" by Michael Lynas), and added to such flawed theories as Wheeler's, the impact of this book as a cogent case is diminished.

Even so, I recommend it for its facts and the very fact that water is brought into the public focus.

A gripping read
Bill Houston and Robin Griffiths combine original thought with a comprehensive understanding of cycles. This makes their book on water essential reading for anyone interested in the political , environmental and economic challenges the world faces in the next century.

The risks we potentially face from water shortages are frightening. This book discusses population movements and the possibility of military action to safeguard water supplies. It also clarifies for investors which countries are best positioned to face these challenges.

I found this book so gripping I read it in one sitting, Although no forecast is 100% accurate it is fascinating to consider the possibilities.

water the final resource- a review
This book was not only badly written, but lacked scientific fact. The author referenced Wikipedia! As a researcher on such topics, I found this book worryingly inaccurate and would guide readers interested in the water issues facing the earth towards literature penned by water engineers not by businessmen.