Skip to main content
Log in

Main problems of water use and transfer of technology

  • Published:
GeoJournal Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Man and water are closely related in a dualistic manner: on one hand water has great influence on man's welfare and social development, on the other man's activities greatly affect water as such. Comparing the present and future water needs with water availability, the author concludes that some world regions should be considered as truly water scarce at least during the next generation. Man's activities create water problems which tend to change with time and exhibit a regional pattern. Many problems can be avoided if advance impact studies were made more regularly for planned water-related activities and projects. The author ends by stressing that differences in climate, hydrology, culture and dominating water problems tend to complicate the important process of transfer of knowledge between temperate and tropical countries.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • BISWAS, A.K.: Environmental implications of water development for developing countries. In: Water and society: Conflicts in development, Part I, Oxford, Pergamon Press, 1978.

    Google Scholar 

  • CHATURVEDI, M.C.: Second India Studies Water. New Delhi, The Macmillan Company of India Ltd 1976.

    Google Scholar 

  • DIETERICH, B.H. and HENDERSON, J.M.: Urban water supply conditions and needs in seventyfive developing countries. World Health Organization, Geneva, Public Health Papers No. 23, 1963.

    Google Scholar 

  • DE MARÉ, L.: Resources — needs — problems. An assessment of the World Water Situation by 2000. Lund Institute of Technology, Sweden 1976.

    Google Scholar 

  • FALKENMARK, M. 1977a: Water and mankind — a complex system of mutual interaction. Ambio 6:1, 3–9 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  • FALKENMARK, M. 1977b: Reduced water demand — result of Swedish antipollution program. Ambio 6:1, 66–70 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  • FALKENMARK, M. and LINDH, G.: How can we cope with the water resources situation by the year 2015? Ambio 3:3–4, 114 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • FALKENMARK, M. and LINDH, G.: Water for a starving world. Boulder, Colorado, Westview Press, 1977.

    Google Scholar 

  • GUSTAFSSON, Y.: Variations in rainfall as a natural constraint on agriculture. Ambio 6:1, 34–35 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  • INTERNATIONAL WATER RESOURCES ASSOCIATION: Suggestions for consideration at the U.N. Water Conference, Mar del Plata, Argentina, March 14–25 1977. Water International 2:1, 12–22 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  • KALININ, G.P. and BYKOV, V.D.: The world's water resources, present and future. Impact of science on society 19:2, Unesco 1969.

  • KORZOUN, V.J. et al. (ed.): World water balance and water resources of the earth. USSR National Committee for the International Hydrological Decade, Leningrad 1974.

    Google Scholar 

  • LVOVICH, M.I.: The global water balance. Transactions Amer. Geophysical Union 54:1 (U.S. IHD Bull. No. 23) 28–42 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • LVOVICH, M.I.: World water resources and their future. Moscow, Mysl 1974 (in Russian).

    Google Scholar 

  • MESAROVIC, M. and PESTEL, E.: Mankind at the turning point. The Second Report to the Club of Rome, New York, E.P. Dutton & Co., Inc. 1974.

    Google Scholar 

  • MORALES, C.: Rainfall variability — a natural phenomenon. Ambio 6:1, 30–33 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  • NIKITOPOULOS, B.: The influence of water on the distribution of the future earth's population. Athens Technological Organization, Athens 1967.

    Google Scholar 

  • ONGWENY, G.S.: Problems of soil and water conservation within the upper Tana catchment. Occasional Paper No. 27, University of Nairobi, Egerton College 1978.

    Google Scholar 

  • SHUVAL, H.I.: Direct and indirect wastewater reuse for municipal purposes. Ambio 6:1, 63–65 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  • UNITED NATIONS: Resources and needs: Assessment of the world water situation. United Nations Water Conference E/CONF. 70/CBP1, 1976.

  • UNITED NATIONS: Report of the United Nations Water Conference, Mar del Plata, 14–25 March 1977. E/CONF.70/29, 1977.

  • WIDSTRAND, C.: Social and economic aspects of water exploitation. In: Water and society: Conflicts in development, Part 1, Oxford, Pergamon Press 1978.

    Google Scholar 

Additional References

  • CHORLEY, R.J., ed.: Water, earth and man. London. Methuen & Co., Ltd. 1969.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Falkenmark, M. Main problems of water use and transfer of technology. GeoJournal 3, 435–443 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00455982

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00455982

Keywords

Navigation