Making the Most of the Water We Have: The Soft Path Approach to Water Management

Making the Most of the Water We Have: The Soft Path Approach to Water Management

Edited By David B. Brooks, Oliver M. Brandes and Stephen Gurman

'This book looks ahead to provide the context within which to consider our use and management of water as we enter an increasingly uncertain future.'
Dr. David Suzuki, Professor Emeritus, University of British Columbia, author, broadcaster

$79.95
Hardback

June 2009 • 296 pages • 234 x 156mm • ISBN 9781844077540

Demand for water is one of the major challenges of the current century, but past approaches are no longer sufficient. Based on the 'soft path' approach to the energy sector, a transition is now under way to a soft path for water. This approach starts by ensuring that ecosystem needs for water are satisfied and then undertakes a radical approach to reducing human uses of water by economic and social incentives, including open decision-making, water markets and equitable pricing, and the application of super-efficient technology, all applied in ways that avoid jeopardizing quality of life.

This book is the first to present and apply the water soft path approach. It has three aims: to bring to a wider audience the concept and the potential of water soft paths; to demonstrate that soft path analysis is analytical and practical, and not just 'eco-dreaming'; and to indicate that soft paths are not only conceptually attractive but that they can be made economically and politically feasible. These goals are reflected by the scope of the book which is organized around the three aspects of any soft path: a vision of a sustainable water future based on the soft path concept; an analytic method to define alternative routes to get to that future (most literally, the soft paths), as illustrated by case studies in Canada and elsewhere: and a tool kit for planners and other practitioners.

'The book provides a timely review of how political economies worldwide have been introducing soft path approaches. It is immensely strengthened by authors who introduced the idea to the water sector and diffused it among water scientists, engineers and planners.'
From the Foreword by Professor J A [Tony] Allan, King's College London and the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, UK

'It is the first book to present a comprehensive view of the soft path and focuses on water solutions, not just technologies but also analysis methods and governance. The importance of this book is its vision and attempt to persuade readers - stakeholders, educators, the media, NGOs, and water managers - to adhere to the soft path paradigm.'
Water International

CONTENTS (Expand Contents)

Introduction

1. Why a Water Soft Path, and Why Now

Part I: Water Soft Paths as Human Vision

2. Avoiding the Perfect Storm: Weathering Climate Change by Following its Effects on Water Resources

3. In the Beginning: Soft Energy Paths

4. Getting it Right: Misconceptions About the Soft Path

5. Practising Ecological Governance: The Case for the Soft Path for Water

6. Water Policy in Canada: Changing Course for the Soft Path

Part II: Water Soft Paths as Analytical Method

7. Getting Quantitative: The Canadian Water Soft Path Studies

8. Turning Principles into Practice: The WSP Scenario Builder

9. Thinking Beyond Pipes and Pumps: Water Soft Paths at the Urban Scale

10. WSP Analysis at a Watershed Scale

11. WSP Analysis at a Provincial Scale

Part III: Water Soft Paths as Planning Tool

12. Removing Institutional Barriers to Water Soft Paths: - Challenges and Opportunities

13. Pushing the Boundaries: Shifting Water Soft Paths Philosophy towards Hard Policy in Municipal
Water Management

14. Green Buildings and Urban Space

15. Water Soft Path Thinking in the United States

16. Water Soft Path Thinking in Other Developed Economies
A England
B The European Union
C Australia

17. Water Soft Path Thinking in Developing Countries
A South Africa
B India
C Middle East and North Africa

Conclusion

18. A Water Future Different from the Past

Annex: How to Create A Soft Path Plan For Water

Index

ABOUT THE AUTHOR(S)

David B. Brooks was Canada's first Director of Energy Conservation, and later spent 15 years with IDRC (International Development Research Centre) on overseas projects on energy, water and natural resource management. He was one of the founders of Friends of the Earth Canada and now serves as its Senior Advisor - Fresh Water. Oliver Brandes is Water Sustainability Project Leader and Associate Director at the POLIS Project on Ecological Governance, University of Victoria, Canada. Stephen Gurman is an environmental consultant and writer, based in Ottawa, Canada.

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