Submitted By: Erica Bodane
Water scarcity is a problem so vast that it already impacts over 1.2 billion people. This is approximately one-fifth of the total world population. Water scarcity arises when a country’s or region’s annual water supply is less than 1,000 cubic meters per person per year. A further 1.6 billion people, approximately one-quarter of the world’s total population, are in a state of water stress and moving quickly toward scarcity. Water stress occurs when a country’s or region’s annual water supply is less than 1,700 cubic meters per person per year. In the US, each person has 2,500 cubic meters per person per year. This high water withdrawal has already led to many multi-year droughts (UN: Water for Life 2012; Global Water Security, US of the Director of National Intelligence 2002).
Water shortage and scarcity exist in regions in which desertification is happening the most quickly. Based on the figure below, South Asia is in the stressed stage for water scarcity. Over-drawing of aquifers with wells or other technology has brought about this underlining scarcity. The largest sector for which water is used is agriculture. While agriculture and water are both so precious to humanity, water has traditionally been ignored as a limited resource (UN: Water for Life 2012).
Water shortage and scarcity exist in regions in which desertification is happening the most quickly. Based on the figure below, South Asia is in the stressed stage for water scarcity. Over-drawing of aquifers with wells or other technology has brought about this underlining scarcity. The largest sector for which water is used is agriculture. While agriculture and water are both so precious to humanity, water has traditionally been ignored as a limited resource (UN: Water for Life 2012).
It has only occurred to us most recently that this resource can be drawn more quickly and in larger amounts than it can be recharged into the ground where we found it. This is happening very quickly in Africa right now. Africa’s development pathway goals are to develop by being an international agricultural success. To do this, it is draining vast aquifers that have been discovered beneath the sandstone bedrock which take over 10,000 years to recharge but will be drained by 2100. South Asia’s water overdraw and droughts have brought tense situations to bear between countries sharing water basins. The overuse of water and the leaking infrastructural loss of water have left the lower regions drier and drier. Where mangroves used to protect the shores, there is dried up ground. Where there were wetlands rich for growing and harvesting, there is inland creep of salination from the sea (UNEP, 2011).
In the United States, there is sense of water security. Water will not stop running through rivers for the United States. Its citizens have 2,500 cubic meters per person per year flowing into cities and across basins. Unfortunately, water stress has already swept across the nation. Though the United States looks comfortably blue right now, the over-drawing of water is taking its toll. The deserts of the American Southwest are expanding and drying further.
Water scarcity is an enormous concern, globally. There are many international conferences reaching for water solutions as landscapes continue to change in time. This is something worth knowing about. For now, the poor pay the higher price and the wealthy pay the lower price, but water scarcity is not an ending issue for the time being, and it will become more pronounced everywhere.
There are many ways in which individuals and families can reduce their water usage, water loss, and stress on their region. Much water is simply lost between its reservoir and its consumer. Water loss can be defined as water that never reaches its use destination. A common water loss reduction strategy is to use a drip irrigation system in the home garden. Complimentary to this strategy are drought-resistant crops for a garden and shrubs for the yard. Commonly, infrastructure at home needs checking to ensure that faucets do not leak and that the piping underneath them also does not leak. Sealing off these leaky spots reduces water loss by a good bit and is just regular household maintenance. Another fairly easy switch for households is to use a broom to sweep off the porch or deck, sidewalk and driveway rather than a hose, saving a good bit of water many times over. Many people are adopting a technique of maximizing their water use. A common example is the example of a shower. When the shower is turned on, it often takes a moment or so for the heated water to arrive. Placing a bucket or plant watering pot underneath the cold flow gives the plants what they need and saves water while the shower is being prepared for you. These tips and more are available at eartheasy.com.
In the United States, there is sense of water security. Water will not stop running through rivers for the United States. Its citizens have 2,500 cubic meters per person per year flowing into cities and across basins. Unfortunately, water stress has already swept across the nation. Though the United States looks comfortably blue right now, the over-drawing of water is taking its toll. The deserts of the American Southwest are expanding and drying further.
Water scarcity is an enormous concern, globally. There are many international conferences reaching for water solutions as landscapes continue to change in time. This is something worth knowing about. For now, the poor pay the higher price and the wealthy pay the lower price, but water scarcity is not an ending issue for the time being, and it will become more pronounced everywhere.
There are many ways in which individuals and families can reduce their water usage, water loss, and stress on their region. Much water is simply lost between its reservoir and its consumer. Water loss can be defined as water that never reaches its use destination. A common water loss reduction strategy is to use a drip irrigation system in the home garden. Complimentary to this strategy are drought-resistant crops for a garden and shrubs for the yard. Commonly, infrastructure at home needs checking to ensure that faucets do not leak and that the piping underneath them also does not leak. Sealing off these leaky spots reduces water loss by a good bit and is just regular household maintenance. Another fairly easy switch for households is to use a broom to sweep off the porch or deck, sidewalk and driveway rather than a hose, saving a good bit of water many times over. Many people are adopting a technique of maximizing their water use. A common example is the example of a shower. When the shower is turned on, it often takes a moment or so for the heated water to arrive. Placing a bucket or plant watering pot underneath the cold flow gives the plants what they need and saves water while the shower is being prepared for you. These tips and more are available at eartheasy.com.
RSS Feed
