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WATER: The Essence of Life Mark Niemeyer Foreword by David T. Suzuki, Ph.D. "Water is the lifeblood of our bodies, our economy, our nation and our well‐being." ‐‐Stephen Johnson, EPA Administrator
H20—it’s the most extraordinary, life‐sustaining molecule known to humankind: it determined our beginnings, sustains our present, and holds the key to our future. This miraculous substance covers more than 70% of our planet and constitutes about 70% of our bodies—and all known organisms depend on it to survive. The scarcity of this precious resource has reached a crisis point, and is now a major social and economic concern. Currently, about 1 billion people around the world routinely drink unhealthy water. Even if the goal of halving the number of people worldwide with access to safe water and sanitation is met in the year 2015, it will still leave more than an estimated half a billion people without access to safe drinking water and over 1 billion without access to adequate sanitation. Poor water quality and bad sanitation are deadly; some 5 million deaths a year are caused by polluted drinking water. WATER tells an incredible story, told in more than 120 of the most stunning and evocative color photographs ever taken and amazing, eye‐opening data. It’s a fascinating look at the many sources and forms of water on earth, from icebergs, glaciers, and aquifers to steam, frost, and dew—as well as an insightful exploration of its various uses, both practical (hydroelectricity, irrigation) and decorative (fountains). The entire watery realm is covered, including great lakes, mighty rivers, and the five oceans; wonderful wetlands, tides and currents, clouds and vapor, the frozen world, and much more. The clear, simple text draws upon science, mythology, and cultural history, and provides serious facts about pollution and waste. This is an eye‐opening celebration of water in the age of global warming—and should serve as a wake‐up call to us all. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Mark Niemeyer is Associate Professor of American literature and American history at the University of Paris (Sorbonne). He has published articles on the sea novels of Herman Melville and is co‐editor of the Norton Critical Edition of Melville’s The Confidence Man and on the French Pléiade edition of the works of Melville.
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THE CONSULTANTS
It takes about…
Marjolaine Hamelin is a scientific information specialist. She worked in research institutes in Switzerland and France before establishing her own company in 2005. Thomas Benzin is Professor of Integrated Science and Technology at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. His teaching includes courses in environmental hydrology, climatology, and chemistry.
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WISDOM FROM WATER: The Essence of Life •
Although over 70% of the earth is covered with water, only about .008% is accessible fresh water. (97% is salt water.)
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About 40% of the world’s population depends on water that flows from a neighboring country.
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6.6 US gallons of water to grow a potato 13.2 US gallons of water to grow an orange 31.2 US gallons of water to make a glass of wine 44.4 US gallons of water to make a pint of beer 634 US gallons of water to make a hamburger
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Of the more than 2,000 river systems shared by two or more countries, several have already caused international conflict.
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There are now more than 2,000 treaties between countries that relate to water rights.
WATER: THE ESSENCE OF LIFE Mark Niemeyer Foreword by David T. Suzuki, Ph.D. Duncan Baird, an imprint of Sterling Publishing Sale date: October 7, 2008 192 pp ISBN: 1‐84483‐719‐9 ISBN13: 9781844837199 $29.95 US y $21.95 CAN Hardcover with jacket • 11 ¾” x 9 ¼” 150 gsm matte art paper Over 120 photographs in 5‐color
WHAT DOES YOUR BOTTLED WATER REALLY COST? •
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The global bottled water market is estimated to have an annual volume of more than 36 billion US gallons and is growing by 12% per year. Almost half of all global bottled water consumption takes place in the US and Western Europe, where the public already has complete access to safe drinking water. Only 40% of bottled water is spring or mineral, the rest is “purified”, yet bottled water can be up to 1,000 times more expensive than tap water, if one takes into account the energy needed for bottling, transportation, and potential recycling of the contents.
2624 Blaisdell Ave • Minneapolis, MN 55408 • www.catalystpublicity.com