Water technologies and the environment: Ramping up by scaling down

The world is facing a global water crisis. Already, deficiencies in water supply and water quality are causing widespread human suffering. About 1.1 billion people lack access to clean water, and 2.6 billion do not have access to improved sanitation facilities. Everyday, 4500 children throughout the world die from preventable diseases caused by the lack of clean water and sanitation. China, India, and the United States are all facing major shortages of freshwater, and water pollution is having serious impacts on public health and the environment in both China and India. Major investments in science and technology will be required to address the water issues of the future. A new generation of innovative, small-scale technologies is needed to prevent and control pollution, and to restore watersheds. Creative, collaborative approaches to addressing the world's decline in freshwater resources are urgently needed. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.