The book addresses environmental, economic, social, and political aspects of water consumption in the past, at present and for the future at global and continental level, while emphasizing CIS and making detailed analysis of the situation in Russia. Different data on water reserves, state of water bodies and ecosystems, which contribute to freshwater reproduction, and data on an impact of human activity on aquatic ecosystems were systematized. The system relations of various aspects of water consumption, water scarcity initiation and intensification mechanisms, and the significance of water scarcity in international relations and the ways to overcome it are demonstrated. 

This book is dedicated for hydrologists, environmentalists, environmental economists, foreign affairs experts, as well as for students who learn land hydrology, environmental economics, ecology and nature resource use and for postgraduates.