By Lily Rerecich
Travis Audubon Teen

In an arid region, the merit of responsibly using water is evident. In contrast, the far-off oceans or lakes might seem unimportant to us. On another level, water is necessary for each human being. The complex ways we value this essential and limited resource is examined closely in “Planet Aqua”.  In the text, author Jeremy Rifkin probes the relationship between water and people across time, from Mesopotamia to the Industrial revolution. Along with his analysis, Rifkin presents the facts of our planet: primarily covered in water, regulated by  the influence of oceans, and now altered by anthropogenic climate change. With the destructive force of human strategies and ‘rewilding waters’ in mind, Rifkin proposes an ideological shift to recognize our home in a water world. However, “Planet Aqua” argues that Earth’s waters are crucially important to all of the planet, and centering ourselves on this fact can lead to a better future.

I was not bored reading this. Not only is the hydrosphere interesting, but the book was intelligently written and had an engaging tone. The abundant research and detail contained in the book intrigued me. Also, the arguments made and paradigms posited gave me much food for thought. Investigating Earth’s waters provided me with a fascinating new perspective on the natural world I love.  

If you too have a passion for our planet, then this is a worthwhile read. Since I am a 16 -year-old high schooler, I know for a fact that you don’t need to be a professional or highly educated to read this book either.  The intriguing and thought-provoking ideas of the text give it a general appeal too, so reading it could be fun for anybody. However, I think this book is really valuable to read for everyone because it is worth taking a moment to consider topics like sustainability, water conservation, and technology that are particularly impactful to us. Understanding and responding to such issues is key to our times, and you don’t have to see everything the same way as “Planet Aqua” to get something valuable out of examining the ideas. 

The concepts of “Planet Aqua” are particularly relevant, because water is a crucial policy issue in this Texas Legislature. According to the Texas Tribune, water has been declared an emergency item for this year’s state legislative session, with bipartisan support. With a growing population and a finite, dry state, the need for good management of water supply is crucial. Everyone can recognize that the substance life depends on is important. Water is essential – and reading “Planet Aqua” is an excellent way to appreciate this fascinating topic.