‘Ignoring water’s essential role as the connective tissue of all life on Earth is widespread. Unfortunately, the response to each environmental problem tends to be piecemeal – addressing one threat rather than responding with complex solutions that will address the underlying problems.’

Over the past four decades artist, activist and teacher Betsy Damon has studied virtually every aspect of water, from the essence of water drops to whole water systems and their connections to life on earth. Over the years, she has witnessed the decline in water quality around the world as a result of human actions.

In this comprehensive and insightful book, Damon writes about our interdependence with water in every aspect of life. She discusses many of the technical, social, and ethical issues we face and our individual and collective responsibility for addressing the decline in water quality. Damon argues that lasting solutions to this problem depend on a fundamental understanding and empirical knowledge of water and its role for all life on earth. She provides an overview of water as a fundamental human right and describes how that right has been curtailed through pollution and the commercialisation of water supplies.

Through inspiring personal stories and projects, scientific and technological studies and solutions, Damon reveals how to better appreciate and approach the problems so that clean water, air and soil can be available for all life.