Details

Abstract / Summary

This book introduces the idea that ethics are an intrinsic dimension of any water policy, program, or practice, and that understanding what ethics are being acted out in water policies is fundamental to an understanding of water resource management. Thus in controversies or conflicts over water resource allocation and use, an examination of ethics can help clarify the positions of conflicting parties as preparation for constructive negotiations. The author shows the benefits of exposing tacit values and motivations and subjecting these to explicit public scrutiny where the values themselves can be debated. The aim of such a process is to create the proverbial 'level playing field', where values favoring environmental sustainability are considered in relation to values favoring short-term exploitation for quick economic stimulus (the current problem) or quick protection from water disasters (through infrastructure which science suggests is not sustainable). The book shows how new technologies, such as drip irrigation, or governance structures, such as river basin organizations are neither "good" nor 'bad' in their own right, but can serve a range of interests which are guided by ethics. A new ethic of coexistence and synergies with nature is possible, but ultimately depends not on science, law, or finances but on the values we choose to adopt. The book includes a wide range of case studies from countries including Australia, India, Philippines, South Africa and USA. These cover various contexts including water for agriculture, urban, domestic and industrial use, the rights of indigenous people and river, watershed and ecosystem management.

Field of Interest

Global Issues

Author

David Groenfeldt, fl. 2013

Copyright Message

Copyright © 2013 David Groenfeldt

Content Type

General reference book

Duration

0 sec

Warning: Contains explicit content

No

Format

Text

Original Publication Date

2013

Page Count

212

Publication Year

2013

Publisher

Routledge (Publisher)

Place Published / Released

Abingdon, England

Subject

Global Issues, Social Sciences, Environment and Social Issues, Environmental Justice, Water in the American West, Water in South Asia, Ethics, Water supply, Water resources development, Politics & Policy, Ecology, 20th Century in World History (1914--2000), 21st Century in World History (2001– )

Series / Program

Earthscan Water Text Series