Response from Biophysical and Engineering Perspectives, Lawrence Baker

The core themes of this book – scarcity, marketization, and participation – in the context of water governance – cannot be fully understood without the perspectives of science and technology.  On one hand, technocratic hegemonies have often had unfortunate consequences.  On the other, emerging information technologies offer the opportunity to more fully understand the hydrologic environment and to enable sharing of information, thereby increasing the potential for participatory governance.  Such potential is especially important for reducing water scarcity and droughts.  Advanced engineering and technology within the public sector is also essential for effectively managing municipal water supplies, whether they be public or private.