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Water

by: JimC

Fri Jul 27, 2007 at 10:52:09 AM EDT
Yes, water -- which is going to be a big environmental issue.

Check out this item from Man Group, the world's largest hedge fund.

Special Research Report on Water, From Man Investments

Man Investments Quarterly Review has found that the development of investment markets to trade water supplies can do much to alleviate the growing global scarcity of clean water. The report notes that water is a vital resource, but until recently it has received little attention from the investment community. As a result, investment funds dealing exclusively in water are few and hedge funds even fewer.

As with other commodities, there is a growing supply/demand mismatch in water. While in aggregate there is sufficient fresh water to meet global demand, distribution is becoming more problematic. Some regions are experiencing rapid depletion of fresh water supplies due to dwindling groundwater levels and increasing pollution of lakes and rivers. Parts of China, Africa, India, Australia and the Middle East are already short of water and the situation will only worsen as population increases and income rises. It is estimated that a third of the world?s population currently lives in water-stressed or water scarce countries.

The report calls for greater privatisation of water assets. While acknowledging that such a move is controversial, it says privatisation will generate capital, urgently needed to improve infrastructure. Furthermore, notes the reports, as water becomes increasingly scarce in numerous regions, opportunities will play out for investment managers.

That's one aspect of the issue, perhaps the more scary one. One thing that's gaining momentum is criticism of bottled water, as a number of municipalities are actually steps to encourage people to use plain old tap water.

As Americans, of course, we are lucky, but water is going to be a global issue, and as Tom Friedman might say, it's time for some good old ingenuity, American or otherwise, to address the issue.

Any thoughts?

 
JimC :: Water
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Water | 5 comments
I heard today that Aquafina (0.00 / 0)
must now label their bottled water for what it is - filtered tap water.  I hope Dasani has to do the same.

As for privatizing water to help avert the crisis through market forces, that scares the bejeesus out of me.  In a world of moral CEOs maybe, but today's CEO seems to be lacking in anything other than the bottom line.

Wonder if Sununu's fired now.

I just saw that (0.00 / 0)
HUGE victory for Corporate Accountability International, a scrappy nonprofit. It's got to help.
[ Parent ]
Ask the Bolivians (0.00 / 0)
Ask Bolivians how much they liked having their water supply privatized.  And note in the article the company that was involved.  Bechtel.  Big Dig Bechtel.  Iraq reconstruction Bechtel.

We believe in prosperity & opportunity, strong communities, healthy families, great schools, investing in our future and leading the world by example. We are Democrats; we are the change you're looking for.
If income is increasing, why should it follow (0.00 / 0)
that pollution increases?  Could it be that part of that increased income is a consequence of pushing the cost of waste disposal off on someone else?

The easiest way to raise capital for public improvements is through taxes.  Taxation has the lowest administrative costs and virtually no third party fees.

The primary purpose of privatization is to evade public scrutiny.  The secondary purpose of privatization is to transfer public assets into private profit and leave the associated costs with the public.  That's how you get the skewed wealth distribution we now see in the U.S.

True, it's been going on for a long time, but that doesn't mean it has to continue.  Some public assets should be distributed equitably instead of having to be "earned."  Nobody's asking for an effort-free lunch, but the air we breathe and the water we need to drink should be freely available to all.

How can we in good conscience ask someone to pay to clean up the waters that someone else has despoiled? 

For more along this line see

Reconciliation (0.00 / 0)
How can we in good conscience ask someone to pay to clean up the waters that someone else has despoiled?

We can't, but on a global basis we probably need something like the Truth and Reconciliation Commission model, so that we focus first on increasing supply and worry about punishing polluters much later.

We need that approach in baseball too, but I digress.

[ Parent ]
Water | 5 comments
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