TY - JOUR T1 - Waters importance in the future JF - Journal of Soil and Water Conservation SP - 8A VL - 61 IS - 1 AU - Tom Pick Y1 - 2006/01/01 UR - http://www.jswconline.org/content/61/1/8A.abstract N2 - To personally stay abreast of current water issues, I try to read and participate in water dialogues when I can take advantage of handy opportunities. In the past year, what I've heard and read has changed how I think about water even though it is so much a daily part of everyone's life that it can become rather mundane. At the international SWCS conference in Rochester this past summer, we heard Sandra Postel, author of a number of books and most recently, Liquid Assets, very eloquently describe the growing worldwide water demand, potential impacts to humans, and the need to provide for flows that sustain stream and river functions. Just a few hours ago, I listened to a Canadian water consultant by the name of Patrick Lucey state that, “The future will be written in water, not ink.” According to Lucey, Canada has 25 percent of the surface freshwater supplies in the world. Another 25 percent is contained within Lake Baikal in Russian Siberia. That leaves 50 percent of all freshwater for the rest of the world to share. In this future high stakes game there undoubtedly will be clear winners and losers. China … ER -