Global Water Issues

Water should be of top concern to people since it is essential to sustain life.  However, this is not the case.  How often do you think about water scarcity, or conserving water? Do you brush your teeth, or do the dishes with the water running, or how about that annoying drip?  Between 1900 and 1995, the demand for freshwater increased at a rate twice that of population growth.  Only until the 1950’s has water been recognized as a scarce resource by policymakers.  According to the 1997 United Nations Comprehensive Assessment of Freshwater Resources of the World, countries such as Central and  South Asia, the northern People’s republic of China, and Mongolia are already experiencing medium to high water stress.  By 2025, the population is expected to grow from 6 to 8 billion people, and more than 80 percent of this number will be living in developing countries.  This lack of water, and sanitation devices causes disease and economic hardship to these countries.  Although water scarcity is a major problem, water pollution is considered to be the most serious environmental problem facing the Asian region. 

           Per Capita Water Use, 2000 (cubic meters per year)             

Besides the concerns about water scarcity and for water pollution, another controversy is on the rise – international water conflicts.  As the need for freshwater resources increases, so does the competition.  Vying for these limited resources Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Thailand, Bangladesh, Cambodia Uzbekistan, and Viet Nam rely on international rivers for 30% of their annual water resources, and the last four rely on water from external sources for over 65% of their annual water supply.  This dependence on water is heightened by droughts and El Nino events, and global climate change.  According to “Water in the 20^th Century”,  an annual water report, one in five people does not have access to safe drinking water, and half of the world’s population does not have adequate sanitation.   

Fortunately, this notion of water as a “limitless bounty” has been recognized as misleading.  Governments, water planners, scientists, and society have become conscious of this fact and new policies are being adopted, and the future of water is being integrated across international lines. 

Interesting and helpful links: 

(1)       http://www.fluidtechnology.com/waterbook/toc.asp (Tables of water use and   water scarcity worldwide)