Monday, February 2, 2009

MacArthur Fellow Peter Gleick Discusses 'Peak Water,' China's Water Crisis, Climate Change Impacts at Wilson Center

WASHINGTON, Feb. 2 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- "Is there such a thing as 'peak water'? There is a vast amount of water on the planet -- but we are facing a crisis of running out of sustainably managed water," said Peter Gleick, president of the Pacific Institute. "Humans already appropriate over 50 percent of all renewable and accessible freshwater flows, and yet billions still lack the most basic water services."

On February 4 at the Woodrow Wilson Center, Gleick will answer these urgent questions:

  • Have we passed a peak in the availability of freshwater for human use?
  • How grave are the impacts of climate change on water, and what can we do about it?
  • Has China's dramatic economic growth irreparably damaged the country's water supply?

Gleick, one of the world's leading authorities on water and a recipient of the prestigious MacArthur Fellowship, has for the past decade co-authored and edited the biennial series The World's Water. The much-anticipated sixth volume addresses topics from "peak water" to climate change impacts to China's water crisis. With 20 data tables on global water situations and a newly updated Water Conflict Chronology, The World's Water 2008-2009 brings the urgency of the global water crisis to the fore.

RSVP/Watch Live Webcast: http://tinyurl.com/cgwnb6

What: The World's Water (Book Discussion)

Who: Peter Gleick, President, Pacific Institute

When: Wednesday, February 4, 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.(reception to follow)

Where: Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, 6th Floor Auditorium

1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C.

Media planning to cover the event should contact Sharon McCarter at sharon.mccarter@wilsoncenter.org or (202) 691-4016.

The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars is the living, national memorial to President Wilson established by Congress in 1968 and headquartered in Washington, D.C. It is a nonpartisan institution, supported by public and private funds, engaged in the study of national and world affairs. http://www.wilsoncenter.org

Since 1994, the Wilson Center's Environmental Change and Security Program has explored the connections among environmental challenges and their links to conflict and security. http://www.wilsoncenter.org/ecsp

    CONTACT: Sharon McCarter, Outreach and Communications
    Phone: 202-691-4016
    Email: sharon.mccarter@wilsoncenter.org