Official Review: Water Wars sharing the Colorado River

mmm17 · Post by **mmm17** » 26 Aug 2019, 07:00

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Water Wars sharing the Colorado River" by Bruce J Carter and Douglas W Cooper.]

4 out of 4 stars

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Can you imagine living in a world without enough clean water for everyone? What would a water shortage scenario entail? Wars? Could this be an impending menace? What could we do to assess and prevent such a tragedy? Would this be restricted to third-world countries? Or could it also happen to you and me?

Water Wars: Sharing the Colorado River, written by Bruce Carter and Douglas Cooper, investigates the troubling issue of water scarcity. The authors have solid academic credentials and extensive experience in the field. In this book, they “analyze the problem of a possible shortage of clean water in part of the United States, the Colorado River Basin” and develop recommendations to solve the problem. The authors argue that the 1400-mile-long Colorado River, which has been called “the American Nile,” is in danger. The authors explore how the demand for water from the river – a source of water for roughly 40 million people – increasingly exceeds the supply.

I enjoyed reading this scholarly non-fiction title. It addresses a noble theme, and it is both informative and eye-opening. I learned a lot of interesting facts about water shortages, pollution, population growth, toxic chemicals, and climate change. For instance, I was surprised to discover that it takes 2500 gallons of water to produce a pound of beef but only 228 gallons to produce a pound of soybean-based tofu.

I particularly liked the historical and political ramifications of supplying water to the population. The authors provide several examples of how water shortages can cause or aggravate conflicts. I also liked the statistical and mathematical models to predict and handle these situations, such as the Colorado River Simulation System. The authors’ explanation of modeling conflict and cooperation using game theory was instructive. I had read about the classic prisoner’s dilemma before, but this was the first time I fully understood it.

On the other hand, I disliked the parts about laws and regulations on the allocation and ownership rights of surface waters; they felt a bit tedious to me. I think some of its details could be in an appendix. However, this did not detract from my enjoyment of the book, and I’m sure these parts will interest lawyers, public officials, and policymakers.

Finally, I rate Water Wars 4 out of 4 stars. It seems professionally edited, for I found a single minor mistake in it. I believe the book will surely appeal to readers interested in environmental issues. It comes with several links to further information on the subject. Those who don’t appreciate scientific studies might not like it as much.

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Water Wars sharing the Colorado River
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AntonelaMaria · Post by **AntonelaMaria** » 27 Aug 2019, 04:05

I don't know why, but when I read books like these, I feel like they come from the future, and that this is something that will certainly happen to Earth one day. This is a great review.

InStoree · Post by **InStoree** » 27 Aug 2019, 05:04

It seems an informative read. With an understanding of these data, we can always bring our own contribution to water pollution. No matter how small or insignificant our gesture might look like, it could make a valuable difference. Thank you for the recommendation! Your review has a substantial core! Congrats!

LinaMueller · Post by **LinaMueller** » 27 Aug 2019, 05:44

Very nice review you've got there. The premise of this book is very thought provoking. Well done, mmm17.

Amanda Deck · Post by **Amanda Deck** » 27 Aug 2019, 10:36

This makes me remember when my Utah friend was visited by officials who told her it was illegal to catch rain water in barrels. She had started setting up an irrigation system for her garden, but it wasn't allowed. We were appalled, amazed, and infuriated that there was such a law. She told him that, as far as she was concerned, the state has no business regulating God's provision.

Then a friend in southern California gave the other side of the argument. It's a difficult question, even though on the face of it, it doesn't seem it should be. The book sounds useful and makes me wonder about the current status of the situation.

KDJ · Post by **KDJ** » 27 Aug 2019, 12:49

Thank you for your review of Water Wars: sharing the Colorado River. A few months ago Arizona started applying strategies to help ease their water issues. This is a problem that may get alot worse without intervention on a major scale. This book sounds like an interesting and informative read. Thank you again for your review.

mmm17 · Post by **mmm17** » 27 Aug 2019, 16:27

AntonelaMaria wrote: ↑27 Aug 2019, 04:05 I don't know why, but when I read books like these, I feel like they come from the future, and that this is something that will certainly happen to Earth one day. This is a great review.

I see your point. Thank you for your comments!

mmm17 · Post by **mmm17** » 27 Aug 2019, 16:27

InStoree wrote: ↑27 Aug 2019, 05:04 It seems an informative read. With an understanding of these data, we can always bring our own contribution to water pollution. No matter how small or insignificant our gesture might look like, it could make a valuable difference. Thank you for the recommendation! Your review has a substantial core! Congrats!

Thanks for reading and also for your kind words.

mmm17 · Post by **mmm17** » 27 Aug 2019, 16:29

LinaMueller wrote: ↑27 Aug 2019, 05:44 Very nice review you've got there. The premise of this book is very thought provoking. Well done, mmm17.

Thank you! It was nice of you to read and comment. The book does give us something to think about.

mmm17 · Post by **mmm17** » 27 Aug 2019, 16:30

Amanda Deck wrote: ↑27 Aug 2019, 10:36 This makes me remember when my Utah friend was visited by officials who told her it was illegal to catch rain water in barrels. She had started setting up an irrigation system for her garden, but it wasn't allowed. We were appalled, amazed, and infuriated that there was such a law. She told him that, as far as she was concerned, the state has no business regulating God's provision.

Then a friend in southern California gave the other side of the argument. It's a difficult question, even though on the face of it, it doesn't seem it should be. The book sounds useful and makes me wonder about the current status of the situation.

Wow! Surprising stories! Thanks for sharing.

mmm17 · Post by **mmm17** » 27 Aug 2019, 16:30

KDJ wrote: ↑27 Aug 2019, 12:49 Thank you for your review of Water Wars: sharing the Colorado River. A few months ago Arizona started applying strategies to help ease their water issues. This is a problem that may get alot worse without intervention on a major scale. This book sounds like an interesting and informative read. Thank you again for your review.

Thank you for reading. It is an interesting book, indeed.

Erin Painter Baker · Post by **Erin Painter Baker** » 27 Aug 2019, 18:01

Paolo Bacigalupi's The Water Knife is a speculative fiction book based on the idea that water wars are happening. This sounds like a really interesting book about the current state of the water supply and demand in the Colorado River Basin. And while the water rights section may seem boring, if it does come to water wars, it may be the most relevant information in the book.

Nizar Ali Shah · Post by **Nizar Ali Shah** » 28 Aug 2019, 04:56

Water Wars sharing the Colarado River" by Bruce J Carter and Douglas W Cooper.The books discusses water shortages in the future.They are right in saying that human survival is possible on the availability of clean drinking water and without it human survival would not be possible.Though the book specifically mentions the Colarado River which covers more than 40 million people that is also known and called the American Nile, is in danger.The authors suggest pragmatic measure to avert the water scarcity in future.
The book describes the problem of over population,which is linked with water problems.
The topic is not only informative but also draws the attentions of its readers to address the impending water shortage problem.Telling and guiding its readers in advance and providing guidance how to deal with this issue is a great service to the people so that the administrators, decision makers be ready with solutions before the water crisis actually happens.The book is useful for every body in the society because water is the basic human need of every human being.

MatereF · Post by **MatereF** » 30 Aug 2019, 01:30

This book touches a subject that should be discussed world over. We are not only running out of water to use but also of other things like viable land to farm. I love your review.

mmm17 · Post by **mmm17** » 30 Aug 2019, 16:16

MatereF wrote: ↑30 Aug 2019, 01:30 This book touches a subject that should be discussed world over. We are not only running out of water to use but also of other things like viable land to farm. I love your review.

Thank you!