Thirst

A groundbreaking account of the worsening global water crisis corporations and non-profits have failed to address

Two billion people worldwide are without access to safe water. But solutions are hard to come by when causes are not clearly defined. In a whirlwind tour of global water insecurity, one of the world’s leading experts on water politics chronicles the massive impact of climate change; the insatiable water demands of industry and agriculture; and the widespread lack of state investment in infrastructure. Filippo Menga focuses in particular on the high priests of global developmentalism – celebrities, CEOs, and sustainability directors – who have emerged as some of the loudest voices about water issues while offering few tangible solutions. Thirst shows that if humanity is to escape the deadlock that bedevils access to clean water, it has to reconsider both its faith in the market and its relationship with nature.

“Takes the reader on a spectacular and comprehensive journey through the ways celebrities, charities, corporations, and communities engage with the water crisis. It is an essential book that sparks critical reflection and inspires action.” Farhana Sultana, Professor of Geography and the Environment, Syracuse University

“A great and truly original book about the world’s water condition. But it is much more than that. Menga dives into the forces that make and shape capitalism today. It is both an eye-opener and a call to act.” Erik Swyngedouw, Professor of Geography, University of Manchester

“Warns of the dangers of charity-focussed philanthrocapitalism and corporate-led environmental governance.” Lyla Mehta, Professorial Fellow, Institute of Development Studies