A Drop in the Ocean for Foresight Practitioners: What the Future May Hold for Fresh Water Usage and Availability throughout the Globe

Marcus Barber

Globals ； Global currency map ； Values ； Sustainability ； GDP ； Survival

Journal of Futures Studies

11卷3期（2007 / 02 / 01）

61 - 77

英文

For arguably the first time in the history of humankind, the developed world is facing similar water access problems to those of their less developed counterparts. In this piece we use two new concepts to change our paradigm on water access and use: the ”Global Currency Map” that assesses the types of challenges faced and the different societal approaches to dealing with the crisis; and a universal currency unit called ”Globals”-the equivalent of 1 litre of fresh water. The author asserts that as water is relied upon in every stage of production, all trade exchanges are simply examples of shifting water in its various end states. In this light we understand that some countries have an abundance of Globals to spend while others have very few and the emerging choice around the world can now be summed up as a choice between ”Life versus Lifestyle”.

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