Currently, “only 2.5 to 3 percent of all the natural water sources available on Earth are composed of fresh water” as written by Paul Alois, a researcher and writer for The World Bank. Alois continues, “less than 1 percent is easily accessible for human use” due to most of the natural water sources being unaccessible. As the global population grows, the environment keeps changing, and over usage of water sources continues, freshwater sources are only going to deplete even further. Consequently, “2 billion people lack access to clean water” and more than 80 countries are presently suffering from water scarcity as reported by The World Bank, a nonprofit scientific research organization.” However, it seems as if the population in …show more content…
Robert Glenton, Professor of Law and Public Policy at the Rogers College of Law, states that "the population of the United States has surged from 285 to 322 million" since 2000. According to Glenton, the american population increases by over 180,000 residents annually. Furthermore, Glenton adds that "In 2000, Americans used a staggering 408 billion gallons of water each day.” Utilizing the given statistics, it’s safe to assume that the number of gallons being used by american daily have increased tremendously. Yet, these numbers are dramatically different if compared with less-developed countries. In an article written by Mark Fischetti, an author for The Scientific American, Fischetti demonstrates that “The U.S had the highest per capita water footprint, at 2,842 cubic meters per year.” However, India’s footprint is “only 1,089 cubic meters a year.” Comparing the population of the U.S (322 million) to the population of India (1.252 billion), it’s clear that a more developed nation takes advantage of it’s water resources. As a result of more privileged nations taking their water resources for granted, it has become apparent that less privileged nations experience the most backlash. As a result, the fresh water scarcity has caused the rapidly increasing global population to
The world’s supply of water is in steep decline as more and more is being used each year by more and more people around the globe. Currently, 800 million people do not have access to a drinking source. At the current rate, 1.8 billion people could be living in areas of absolute water scarcity by 2025.
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
According to (" UN-Water”) 783 million people do not have access to clean drinking water. The majority of people living in America have plenty of access to clean drinking water and often take that opportunity for granted . The lack of water in undeveloped countries can have a major effect on the economy. Countries that Have clean drinking water means being able to shower, cook, drink, water that can also be used for agriculture. Undeveloped countries with unclean water do not have these benefits
any countries in the world are short of precious water. Given that water is so essential to everyday activities, such as cooking,washing, and growing crops, without the quality of water can affect our nation, even causing economic or social instability. The cdc estimates 780 million people around the world,more than 1 in 10, do not have access to an improved water source one that is protected from outside contaminants.
In recent years not only is the complex issue of water scarcity a widespread issue but
Earlier this year, an obscure United Nations document, the World Water Development Report, unexpectedly made headlines around the world. The report made the startling claim that the world would face a 40 percent shortfall in freshwater in as soon as 15 years. Crops would fail. Businesses dependent on water would fail. Illness would spread. A financial crash was likely, as was deepening poverty for those just getting by.
First world countries can easily use their power and influence to get the water they strive for. The reason that power allows countries such as America, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia to gain immense amounts of authority over other countries is because of how much they provide to the rest of the world. According to the Central Intelligence Agency’s world factbook, 49% of the exports are equipment and machinery goods and parts, 26.8% are chemical supplies, 15% are cars and medical supplies, and only 9.2% deal with agriculture (“The World Factbook”). Though the agricultural exports seem to be the most minor part of America’s exports, they most likely require the least amount of water as well. Each separate part of a machine has to
In a world that’s over 70% covered with water, it’s hard to believe that there could ever be a water crisis. However, with 98% of the Earth’s water being undrinkable, that only leaves less than 3% of this water drinkable and with over 7 billion people on this planet, well, it can start to get scarce. Ever since humans have been on this Earth, especially during the Industrial and Agricultural Revolution, they have become the number one largest polluter on the planet. Whether it be from agricultural runoff, oil spills, even deforestation, humans are digging themselves a hole that will only get harder to dig themselves out of as time goes on. As this path of pollution continues, humans are creating crises all over the globe, from the drinking
The United Nations indicated that by 2025 more than 2 billion people will live in places with poor access to fresh water ,which will force 700 million people to emigrate in search of water by 2030. Like in India, 60 % of its water source is salty water, and it doesn’t generate enough electricity (due to the high cost) ,in order to desalinate water and make it drinkable or good for the plants.
Water covers 70% of our planet, and it is easy to think that it will always be plentiful. However, freshwater, what we drink, bathe in, irrigate our farm fields with makes up only 3% of the world’s water, and two-thirds of that is stored in frozen glaciers or unavailable for our use. Many of the water systems that keep ecosystems thriving and feed a growing human population have become stressed. Rivers, lakes and aquifers are drying up or becoming too polluted to use. Already, 80 countries suffer from water shortages that threaten health and economies while 40 percent of the world—more than 2 billion people—does not have access to clean water or sanitation
regions in the world, water demand will exceed supply by 50% and a report jointly produced by more than two dozen U.N. bodies states that, "By 2030, nearly half of the world's people will be living in areas of acute water shortage." The planet is in the midst of what the United Nations is calling a "Global Water Crisis." Freshwater is the most fundamental finite resource with no substitutes for most uses, yet we are consuming fresh water at least 10 times faster than it is being replenished in regions of northern Africa, the Middle East, India, Pakistan, China, and the U.S.. According to the World Resources Institute, "Freshwater ecosystems – the diverse communities found in lakes, rivers,
“There is enough water in the world for everyone's need; there is not enough for everyone's greed.” (Natashaghica). This quote from Mahatma Gandhi shows that there has always been enough water to sustain life across the planet, but first world societies overconsumption is putting that water supply in jeopardy. First world societies see water as an infinite resource because of the large oceans covering the planet, but over 98% of that water is salt water and less than 1% is considered safe for human consumption (“Water Facts”). From the formation of water companies to the invention of faucets now in every room, the first world wastes more and more every day. Technological advances in consumer goods have caused first world societies to waste more water than ever.
Water is one of the necessities of life for people all around the world. It seems like a basic need that is readily available, as 70% of the Earth’s surface is covered in water. However, many people lack a source of clean drinking water. Unfortunately, this number, as well as the number of people who die due to not having clean water, is rising. According to the Natural Resource Defense Council, “Less than two-tenths of 1 percent of the planet’s water is drinkable, and 90 percent of that goes to uses in buildings, including flushing toilets.” Therefore, only a minuscule fraction of the water of the water on Earth is available for drinking. In addition, the average American uses 2,220 gallons of water per day, a number out of proportion with the 844 million people who lack access to safe drinking water. While these statistics sound dire, there are ways to solve this problem. The problem isn’t that we don’t have enough water, but how we use the water we have. If we utilize water and the other resources we have access to in an effective way, we can supply the human race as well as other species with sufficient water to survive.
Globally, the problem is getting worse as cities and populations grow. Households, agriculture and industry increased the need of water. As global warming becomes more of a problem for the earth and its inhabitants, water is becoming scarcer universally. What is a more accurate description, however, is that the distribution of water on the planet will begin to change in radical ways, leaving some people and regions with far less water than they are accustomed to. Water scarcity already affects every continent. Water scarcity is among the main problems to face by many societies and the World in the 21st century. Water usage has been growing at more than double the rate of persons increase in the last century. A shortage of water occurs when a number of
Water crisis refers to the situation where the available water within a geographical location cannot meet the water needs of the population in that location. This prevalent situation has drawn considerable attention in most countries due to its severity to humanity. Because of the tripling of the population in the 21st century, the demand for water has remained considerably higher than the available clean and safe water. Despite the fact that the earth is covered by seventy percent of water, only four percent of this water is fresh. The rest is saline. Additionally, out of the fresh water, sixty-nine percent consists of glaciers, while the rest is available as surface or underground water. As a result,