58 pages • 1 hour read
The Big Thirst
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Water as the Most Common and Important Resource
The main theme of The Big Thirst is that water is so ubiquitous that it becomes invisible, yet remains the most important resource. Water is necessary for agricultural and industrial production, in homes, and throughout the environment.
From ancient to modern times, water has formed the basis of human society. Recently, water has become safe through filtration and chlorination. As a result, people now take water for granted.
When water becomes scarce, as in a drought, people realize how important it is. Water abundance has been the assumption on which many modern societies have been built.
Because of how common water is, people often take it for granted. Fishman argues for people to take more notice of water, so that they waste less and conserve more.
Water is heavy and hard to transport, and also cheap, so water is not traded as other resources are. Also, because humans depend on water, Fishman argues that water differs from other resources.
Water is so common in the environment that even relatively large conservation efforts pale in comparison to the amounts of water in floods, rain, evaporation, and other phenomena.
Thought as Important for Water Conservation and Use
Because of how common water is, people often give no thought to it. However, Fishman argues that people should think about how they use and waste water. Furthermore, thinking ahead, among private individuals and businesses as well as governments, would prevent further water shortages and conflicts.
According to The Big Thirst, people do not know much about water. Few people understand where drinking water comes from, or where water goes.
When cities do not think about their water resources adequately, it can result in problems. During water shortages, a city lacking water rights can run dry. During storms, a city lacking protection can suffer more destruction, costing more to rebuild.
Fishman regularly argues that cities, states, and individuals should have more awareness of water, planning and managing its use. When users think about water, they use it differently. Mismanaged water, such as in India, becomes a difficult problem to fix.
For Fishman, water is not just a resource, but a resource with which people have a relationship. When people ignore that relationship, taking it for granted because of water’s invisibility, it can lead to problems.
Water as a Commodity
Fishman considers water as a resource, comparable to oil. It has costs, even if people usually think of water as free. Businesses have to manage water, as with other resources, particularly in dry places.
As a resource, water requires engineering and politics to manage. Fishman argues that the politics of water is more difficult and important than the engineering or science.
Cities facing water shortage often introduce restrictions, such as only watering gardens on certain days. Residents often do not restrict their own water consumption because of how cheap water is. During water shortages, people conflict over water, as with other resource conflicts.
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By Charles Fishman
