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While we may all agree that global warming is caused by man-made activities, it is no longer acceptable to attribute this to the increase in greenhouse gas emissions. Rather, global changes in land use, in particular urbanization, deforestation and desertification, are responsible for increased temperatures. Problems of global climate and the water cycle are largely due to unsustainable land use.

Urbanization results in a huge impact on the natural water cycle. Reduced evaporation rates are mainly responsible for the urban heat island effect and translate in a reduction in overall precipitation. A sustainable urban development requests a new waterparadigm. Instead of shifting rainwater into sewer systems it could be used for irrigation and cooling. Roofs should be greened and wastewater should be used after being pre-treated. Not a single drop of water should leave urban surfaces, simply to be funnelled into sewer systems.