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As an essential resource, water has been the object of warfare, political wrangling, and individual and corporate abuse. It has also become an object of commodification, with multinational corporations vying for water supply contracts in many countries. In Precious Commodity, Martin V. Melosi examines water resources in the United States and addresses whether access to water is an inalienable right of citizens, and if government is responsible for its distribution as a public good. Melosi provides historical background on the construction, administration, and adaptability of water supply and wastewater systems in urban America. He cites budgetary constraints and the deterioration of existing water infrastructures as factors leading many municipalities to seriously consider the privatization of their water supply. Melosi also views the role of government in the management of, development of, and legal jurisdiction over America's rivers and waterways for hydroelectric power, flood control, irrigation, and transportation access. Looking to the future, he compares the costs and benefits of public versus private water supply, examining the global movement toward privatization.
This book undertakes a study of the San Joaquin Valley (SJV) and a comparison with the Appalachian region. The eight-county San Joaquin Valley, part of California's Central Valley, is home to 5 of the 10 most agriculturally productive counties in the United States. By a wide range of indicators, the SJV is also one of the most economically depressed regions of the United States. This book analyses the SJV's counties and statistically documents the basis of current socio-economic conditions. The book further explores the extent to which the SJV shares similarities with and differs from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) area and a 68-county Central Appalachian sub-region which contains some of the most economically distressed counties in Appalachia. The book also examines the role of federal expenditures in the cities and counties of the SJV. In addition to examining socio-economic conditions in the SJV, the book provides analysis of water supply and quality issues especially those concerning agriculture, air quality concerns, and rail and shipping issues. It is fully indexed.
The Global 2000 Report to the President of the U.S. presents an interagency report of the 70-year record of Government concern relating to issues in population, resources, and environment. It discusses the interrelatedness of these three factors. It addresses all three topics from a relatively long-term, global perspective and emphasizes interconnections and feedback Some of the topics covered in the book are the projections of the population, climate, technology, and the food and agriculture. The analysis of these projections is covered. The tools used in the analysis are discussed. The text defines the meaning of mesarovic-pestel world model, carrying capacity, stability, diversity, and ecological buffering. A comparison of the resulting projections is presented. A chapter of the volume is devoted to the embassy reports on forestry and agricultural trends. Another section of the book focuses on the Latin American world model. The book will provide useful information to economists, political analysts, students and researchers.