As droughts intensify and freshwater reserves dry up, access to water becomes one of the greatest inequalities of the 21st century. For some, drinking a glass of water remains routine; for others, every drop is precious. Surviving in a World Without Water by Léwis Verdun, part of the Planète Avenir collection from Five Minute Editions, confronts this subject head-on. The book is more than a diagnosis—it’s a survival manual, a call for resilience, and an exploration of our planet’s water future.

This article explores a related theme: the transformation of our social, technological, and personal systems in response to water scarcity.

Water stress : symptom of an unbalanced planet

Water stress occurs when demand exceeds supply or when water quality deteriorates. More than 2 billion people already experience water shortages for at least one month per year. By 2040, nearly half the world’s population could face severe shortages.

The causes are clear: population growth, domestic waste, industrial pollution, overuse in agriculture, and poorly planned urbanization. Climate change makes it worse by altering rainfall patterns and drying aquifers.

Verdun’s book illustrates this through vivid testimonies—from Sahelian farmers to Singaporean engineers recycling wastewater into drinking water.

A new water culture : sobriety, resilience, autonomy

Adapting to a world without water requires more than government policies—it demands cultural transformation.

  • Reduce waste and reuse water whenever possible

  • Collect dew and rainwater

  • Filter or purify questionable sources

  • Build local water resilience through community efforts

The book is concise and practical, with each chapter acting as a survival guide designed for fast yet impactful reading.

Technology as a support, not a miracle

Promising innovations are emerging:

  • New-generation desalination

  • Smart leak-detection systems

  • Precision agriculture with satellite data

  • Advanced wastewater recycling

However, issues of accessibility and ownership remain. Verdun approaches these solutions with balanced realism.

Take action now : practical steps

  • Fix household leaks

  • Install rainwater collectors

  • Reuse grey water

  • Create homemade filters

  • Stock clean water for emergencies

The role of communities

  • Build shared infrastructure

  • Educate citizens

  • Encourage local water-saving initiatives

  • Anticipate collective needs

Surviving in a World Without Water transforms anxiety into action and shows how every individual can contribute.

Read it now on Five Minutes and turn the crisis into opportunity.