Introduction The initial article that I have chosen is an overview of the connection between human health and groundwater. Written by Stephen Foster and Gillian Tyson (2016), the key messages of this article are how many of us rely on groundwater, which makes us more susceptible to pollution, and the effects of pesticides and chemicals. Published by the International Association of Hydrogeologists, this article directly relates to two of the United Nation’s Sustainability Goals, which are Clean Water and Sanitation, and Good Health and Well-Being, as well as being indirectly related to many others.
Firstly, Goal #6 on the United Nations list is Clean Water and Sanitation which directly states that, “unsafe management of fecal waste and wastewater continues to present a major risk to public health” (Sustainability Goal #6 Target). This is imbedded in the article, as it is speaking to the health implications of contaminated water and the larger question, of what and how is our water is getting like this. Additionally, the other aspect that is worth looking at is Sustainability Goal #3, Good Health and Well-Being, and in this case how it relates to groundwater. Healthy living and well-being for all ages, is the main statement for this goal and health is discussed many times in this article, the poor health affects it may have as well preventative measures for us to stay healthy. More on the health aspects of water contamination and another Sustainable Development Goal will
The author of "Water" develops their claim by giving their argument, stating water-related challenges, arguing the right to water, setting goals, and lastly, explaining the importance of water to hygiene and sanitation. In order to raise awareness, the author gives staggering facts about the issue and possible solutions. This author uses informative yet convincing language pointing his article at an audience who is researching the problem or those who would like to contribute to the
“Access to safe water is a fundamental human need and, therefore, a basic human right. Contaminated water jeopardizes both the physical and social health of all people. It is an affront to human dignity.” — Kofi Annan, prior United Nations Secretary-General
There are three main mechanisms by which the chemical composition of groundwater, which is our natural source of drinking water, may be changed: by natural processes, by man's waste-disposal practices such as those for sanitary wastes, liquid industrial wastes, solid wastes, and radioactive wastes, and by spills, leaks, and agricultural activities and other sources unrelated to disposal. The degree of risk posed by contaminants varies according to many factors. These include the volume and toxicity of the contaminant, its concentration in the aquifer, its persistence in the environment, and the degree of human and environmental exposure to the contaminant. In addition, the number of persons affected, or likely to be affected, over time and the percentage of available groundwater both locally and regionally should be taken into consideration. If the contaminants in the groundwater exceed the standards set for drinking water by the federal government, for example, then the water is hazardous for the use for which it was designated under the standards. These standards include, however, only a limited number of chemicals, and thus they do not necessarily protect humans or the environment against either the short-term or the long-term effects of every contaminant that might be found in
The article “Water Works”, published by Orion Magazine and written by environmental specialist Cynthia Barnett intends to inform the reader anyone can make water an important factor. Overlooking it has become common many people in the United States have adapted to through the changes that have occurred in society over time. At the beginning of her article, she describes an area that does not make water care a priority, whereas in another location they make it very evident water is important. The location she describes is gloomy, grey, and is a populated area that has old water systems that are damaging environmental factors. Barnett continuously emphasizes that people are the ones who can help restore nature. This is at a less cost than
There is a water crisis which faces many parts of the world and it is a threat to survival of human beings since humans are primarily dependent on water. Shortage in drinking water is beginning to show its effects in first world countries, but is a current major problem facing lesser developed countries which have not taken drastic steps to harvest water and purify it to make it safe for human consumption. In developed countries the population growth has strained available water resources and stretched the ability of governments and private firms to provide safe drinking water to the vast majority of the population. Seventy one percent of
People in Developing countries drink pond, stream, pond water which could be contaminated by animals and people. In third world countries they’re not really educated so they don’t know that the water they drink is bad for them. Another way they get water is by digging deep holes until they find water, it may be cleaner than the surface water but there would be still be a chance that it could be contaminated, which could end up giving them diseases and even death. 884 million people in the world don’t have water that is safe to drink. Also more 80 percent of sewage in third world countries contaminates their water source. Schools also don’t clean/safe water for kids to drink. In developing countries women and children spend 6 hours every day trying to collecting water and on
Water, like food, is a necessity for human life that is used for many purposes such as agricultural, industrial, and domestic systems. While water is a common element around the world not all of it is clean and able to be consumed or used by humans. With only a percentage of the world’s water being clean and the use of water increasing, the availability of water around the world has become a common issue in the developing and even the developed world. This may be a smaller problem in areas close to clean water sources compared to areas far from a clean water source but, the availability of water is not strictly based on location, it also depends on the specific political and social needs and issues of the area as well. These all become issues that must be accounted for when deciphering whether water is a basic human right or a commodity and what action must be taken to aid the developing water systems in community’s that lack them.
The human body is contained mostly of water. Plants and animals will stop to exist without water. Water is used in transportation, cleaning, and other walks of life. It is not hard to figure out that water is one of the planet’s most valuable useful things (Bottcher 2012). However, the previously-mentioned walks of life create many of the concerns connected with the consumption of water. Water contamination is a hot topic in America. Americans are concerned with the contaminants that may be waiting in a creepy way their tap
From my point of view, our world needs to use the groundwater for something useful for citizens in the world. However, a very beneficial way to use the groundwater would be allowing the citizens to pull up as much groundwater they desire to cook food, and for their hygiene. Without the proper hygiene, such as brushing your teeth, or showering can result in horrible health issues.
Across the world, how one gets water is different depending on the environment and the climate someone lives in. The “intensive use of groundwater” and desalination potential and limitation, has been brought to the attention of people by Elena Lopez-Gunn and Manuel Ramón Llamas. When looking at arid or semi-arid regions, the use of groundwater can make a huge difference. This is explained through a serious tone that is supported by an abundance of facts to prove that this statistic is actually a possibility for countries around the world. “Groundwater systems globally provide 25 to 40% of the world’s drinking water and more than half of the world’s population relies on groundwater for its drinking water supply” (Lopez-Gunn and Llamas). Even though cultures are different around the world, this one type of water system is shared by many
The water crisis in the world is increasing, and it will continue to increase if something is not done. Water makes up approximately seventy-one percent of Earth’s surface. This does not include the water underground. Everyday water is being taken more than it is being put in, and people have a large role in this. Climate change, the number of people in the world, and water wasted is among the uppermost causes of the water crisis. It is simple, if you do not have water, you will eventually die. The water crisis is a health crisis for everyone globally.
Water is a critical component for all life on earth and for humans it is even more than just a source of hydration. Humans use water for household utilities, the food service industry, manufacturing, power production, for recreational purposes such as in pools, ice rinks and for boating but most of all water is used for agriculture irrigation. Given this vital need for water, various international laws recognize a human right to water including the United Nations, which stated that “The human right to water entitles everyone to sufficient, safe, acceptable, physically accessible and affordable water for personal and domestic uses” . In another United Nations report issued originally in 2006,
The provision of good quality household drinking water is often regarded as an important means of improving health, according to Sajama et al, 2011. What is more, the supply of clean water is limited by a lack of infrastructure, capacity and financial resources .so the quality of water is becoming a serious public health issue for the past years. The water shortages in Algeria Sahara has become worse because of inefficient management of the piped water distribution
To sum up, groundwater contamination can be related to waste disposal, land disposal of solid waste, and brine disposal from the petroleum industry. Over 50% of the United States population depends on ground water for drinking water. Water management needs to be in place to regulate what is going in water and where waste can be put to prevent contamination. Contamination of groundwater and population of surface water with waste are big problems affecting water supply. The problem associated with water pollution has the ability to disrupt life on our planet to a great
Water is a critical source that is utilized by most living things on Earth to support it ways of live. The usage of water ranges from basic household needs to agricultural purposes. Water is one of the resources on the Earth that is becoming more and more scarce and the water available for usage is being further contaminated by pollution causing sickness and death.(World Health Organization).Countries are experiencing droughts affecting the water supply needed to maintain irrigation, thermoelectric power, and public supply. The definition of water pollution is the result of when too many toxic materials are present, in which negatively impact the water to be unsafe for its intended purpose, which may be drinking to industrial processes