Home | Databases | WorldLII | Search | Feedback Edited Legal Collections Data

Chaisse, Julien --- "Foreign investment in water: privatization, globalization and the law" [2017] ELECD 325; in Chaisse, Julien (ed), "Charting the Water Regulatory Future" (Edward Elgar Publishing, 2017) 76

Book Title: Charting the Water Regulatory Future

Editor(s): Chaisse, Julien

Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing

ISBN (hard cover): 9781785366710

Section: Chapter 5

Section Title: Foreign investment in water: privatization, globalization and the law

Author(s): Chaisse, Julien

Number of pages: 15

Abstract/Description:

Water is often perceived as an infinite natural resource. Unfortunately, the tragic reality is it maintains a fixed invariable volume with less than 3 percent consisting of fresh water. Never before has the inherent tension of scarcity versus overconsumption in the relationship between man and water reached such a critical point. Accordingly, Earth’s water supply faces many newfound demands and challenges in the years ahead. Water, Earth’s “blue gold,” is its most precious and essential commodity. It is fundamental to all aspects of drinking, eating, maintaining hygiene, and promoting population health. Water is basic to the preservation of most ecosystems and crucial to a safe and long-lasting environment. Moreover, it is critical to several types of businesses and industries. It not only maintains social stability and environmental sustainability, but also fosters economic development across civilizations. Consequently, access to clean water has been recognized by the United Nations (UN) as a basic human right that every government is obligated to provide.