Stephen Kinzer Quotes

No water equals no life. We can have no oil; it's fine. No water - there is no plan b with no water.

Luckily, water, though finite, is infinitely renewable.

As with oil, water exploitation raises an inter-generational debt that will be hard to repay.

Water is a finite resource that is essential in the advancement of agriculture, and is vital to human life.

Truly, we do live on a 'water planet.' For us, water is that critical issue that we need. It's the most precious substance on the planet, and it links us to pretty much every environmental issue, including climate change, that we're facing.

Water, like many other resources, is harvested, transported and used throughout all aspects of society. Unlike other resources, water is critical to the survival of all forms of life. The underlying question that sits at the core of my exploration is to what degree can we shape water before it begins to shape us.

Israel is thirsting for water, and Turkey is overflowing with it.

There is a liquid more precious than oil – water!

Mankind runs a major risk of the shortage of fresh water. Water is a major source of life but could well be a major source of conflict.

Water is one of the world’s great business opportunities. It promises to be to the 21st century what oil was to the 20th.

I have little need to remind you that water has become one of our major national concerns.

In our wildest dreams we never thought water would be a zero-sum game.

Heedless exploitation of depletable ground water supplies endangers food production and other essential human systems. Heavy demands on the world's surface waters have resulted in serious shortages in some 80 countries, containing 40 percent of the world's population. Pollution of rivers, lakes, and ground water further limits the supply.

Clearly, we need to rethink our attitudes about water and move away from thinking of it as nearly a free good and a God-given right.

Water is on the table for every single one us. When it's gone, game over. I don't care what company you run; I don't care if you're Republican or liberal.

Water is one of the most basic and vital requirements for survival. And with the issue of water shortage aggravating every single day, it's just something I felt we had to address and spread the message on whatever level we can.

People are saying that the next war will be about water. Let's make sure there will be no next war, and let's make sure that we treat water the way it deserves.

Is water the next oil? Motives behind the question vary, depending on who asks the question. Those who see water as a future core commodity - therefore as profitable a prospect as oil - pose the question to create the right market conditions for water trade.

Countries that control water are likely to be the big winners of the future.

It's tough to know the value of water until it's gone.

Everything we think about regarding sustainability - from energy to agriculture to manufacturing to population - has a water footprint. Almost all of the water on Earth is salt water, and the remaining freshwater supplies are split between agricultural use and human use - as well as maintaining the existing natural environment.

There's a huge question of whether you really need water for life.

According to the U.N., more than 2.7 billion people will face severe water shortages by 2025. Many social scientists predict that the next big wars will be over water. Nevertheless, the average American family blissfully consumes 300 gallons a day, when you add in watering the lawn and washing dishes, clothes, and cars.

I represent a district covering Rockland, Westchester and Bronx counties, all of which are part of the 9 million people that this water is so important for.

Ranchers need clean water for their stock, farmers need it for their crops, every employer needs it to stay in business, and every living thing needs it for life... The law needs to be clear to protect water quality and the rights of landowners.