Did you know, climate change or global warming has taken a toll on water resources too? In another ten years, water scarcity would reach alarming heights. It’s estimated that, about 30% of world’s population, would be living in areas where there is no water resource and another 20% in areas with water scarcity! Isn’t it startling? Did you ever know that, currently about 20% or more of world’s population do not have access to clean water?
Due to increased temperatures as a result of global warming, there’s water scarcity everywhere. The ice from polar regions are melting faster and recline in the oceans. This has raised the sea level by 30% as on date, however sea water is not palatable.
In most developing countries, sewage system is not proper. As a result of this, raw or unprocessed sewage is drained into the water bodies. This has made most water bodies unfit for usage. Out of the unfit water resources, more than 70% are declared not fit even for industrial use! The mixing of sewage and industrial wastes, in water bodies has been attributed as major causes.
The next most important cause is the rising carbon levels, that renders the water resources acidic and thus they’re announced as death zones. Lack of sufficient rainfall has further taken a toll, since depleting water can’t be replenished without rain.
There are many countries that suffer from water scarcity, including China. Do you know, China has resorted to forced migrations to tackle water problem? Though there are many water bodies in China, due to industrialization and mixing of wastes therein, most of their waters are unfit for use. As a result of this, they are forced to manage and cater 22% of world’s population with less than 5% of water resource available globally.
Many African countries and even few villages in India and other developing countries, lack proper drainage systems and in many places even ground water is contaminated with sewage. It’s determined, that over 70% of the deaths due to diseases are due to water-borne diseases. Contaminated water is a breeding place for disease causing organisms and also, they’re disease causing in itself. There are many instances where people, mostly kids die due to dehydration.
There are many countries that feud over water sharing. There are few countries, that have internal conflicts for this reason. Water scarcity is increasing over the last few years and expected to raise steadily until 2020 or 2030. After this period, it’s estimated that most water resources would be depleted.
The only possible solution to water crisis are the following:
• Using reverse osmosis or other economical options to process sea water and make it usable.
• Educating people and implementing policies to ensure rain harvesting is done.
These two steps are considered vital to avert water crisis. Since sea water accounts for more than a third of world’s composition, it’s possible to avert scarcity to some extent, by making this water usable. So it’s important to ensure everyone gets clean and safe water for drinking.