Three Ages of Water

Prehistoric Past, Imperiled Present, and a Hope for the Future

By Peter Gleick | Publisher: PublicAffairs

About the book

A revelatory account of how water has shaped the course of human life and history, and a positive vision of what the future can hold—if we act now
 
From the very creation of the planet billions of years ago to the present day, water has always been central to existence on Earth. And since long before the legendary Great Flood, it has been a defining force in the story of humanity.

In The Three Ages of Water, Peter Gleick guides us through the long, fraught history of our relationship to this precious resource. Water has shaped civilizations and empires, and driven centuries of advances in science and technology—from agriculture to aqueducts, steam power to space exploration—and progress in health and medicine.
 
But the achievements that have propelled humanity forward also brought consequences, including unsustainable water use, ecological destruction, and global climate change, that now threaten to send us into a new dark age. We must change our ways, and quickly, to usher in a new age of water for the benefit of everyone. Drawing from the lessons of our past, Gleick charts a visionary path toward a sustainable future for water and the planet.

Editions of Three Ages of Water

Hardcover
ISBN 9781541702271
EBook
ISBN 9781541702295

Read an Excerpt

A revelatory account of how water has shaped the course of human life and history, and a positive vision of what the future can hold—if we act now
 
From the very creation of the planet billions of years ago to the present day, water has always been central to existence on Earth. And since long before the legendary Great Flood, it has been a defining force in the story of humanity.

In The Three Ages of Water, Peter Gleick guides us through the long, fraught history of our relationship to this precious resource. Water has shaped civilizations and empires, and driven centuries of advances in science and technology—from agriculture to aqueducts, steam power to space exploration—and progress in health and medicine.
 
But the achievements that have propelled humanity forward also brought consequences, including unsustainable water use, ecological destruction, and global climate change, that now threaten to send us into a new dark age. We must change our ways, and quickly, to usher in a new age of water for the benefit of everyone. Drawing from the lessons of our past, Gleick charts a visionary path toward a sustainable future for water and the planet.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Three Ages of Water about?

A revelatory account of how water has shaped the course of human life and history, and a positive vision of what the future can hold—if we act now
 
From the very creation of the planet billions of years ago to the present day, water has always been central to existence on Earth. And since long before the legendary Great Flood, it has been a defining force in the story of humanity.

In The Three Ages of Water, Peter Gleick guides us through the long, fraught history of our relationship to this precious resource. Water has shaped civilizations and empires, and driven centuries of advances in science and technology—from agriculture to aqueducts, steam power to space exploration—and progress in health and medicine.
 
But the achievements that have propelled humanity forward also brought consequences, including unsustainable water use, ecological destruction, and global climate change, that now threaten to send us into a new dark age. We must change our ways, and quickly, to usher in a new age of water for the benefit of everyone. Drawing from the lessons of our past, Gleick charts a visionary path toward a sustainable future for water and the planet.

What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Three Ages of Water?

Technology, Engineering, Agriculture, Industrial processes > Environmental science, engineering and technology

Where can I read a sample of Three Ages of Water?

You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781541702271

Who is/are the Author/s of the book Three Ages of Water?

Peter Gleick

Who is the Publisher of the book Three Ages of Water?

PublicAffairs

What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?

Three Ages of Water is available as hardcover(ISBN 9781541702271) and ebook(ISBN 9781541702295)

Where can I buy Three Ages of Water online or support local independent bookshops?

You can buy Three Ages of Water from below

Where can I buy Three Ages of Water?