In the United States, regional water shortages are not uncommon. Parts of California, Arizona, New Mexico and other dry Southwestern states face water shortages and rationing nearly every year. But for US residents, such water scarcity usually means we have to water our lawns or wash our cars a little less often. The United States has never seen its drinking water supply threatened.
Now consider this: Worldwide, an estimated 1.2 billion people lack access to fresh water. That’s about a sixth of the world’s population. Furthermore, one third of the world’s population does not have basic sanitary facilities for bathing and grooming. Why is this?
Most of us don’t even realize that fresh water is lacking. In the past, water has always been readily available and cheap, and therefore we do not consider it a valuable resource. After all, 75% of the Earth is covered in water, right? This may be true, but most of that water is in the oceans, and salt water is not drinkable. Of all the water on Earth, only about 2.5% is fresh water. And of that amount, much is contaminated and unfit to drink.
Many of us are now used to hearing on the news about various crises around the world. Wars are being fought, AIDS has become an epidemic, and global warming is causing climate changes that could lead to catastrophe. All of these are serious problems, but none more so than a lack of clean water. The difference between freshwater scarcity and other problems is time. Without fresh water to drink, humans and animals cannot survive for more than a few days. Also, drinking contaminated water wreaks havoc on a healthy person. The World Health Organization estimates that 80% of illnesses and deaths in developing countries are caused by unsafe water. This is a very real and immediate problem, killing people every hour.
Although this problem does not directly affect many of us in the United States, we must be aware that sooner or later it will affect us. The US government estimates that within the next 3-5 years, at least 36 states will have to deal with water scarcity. Most of us cannot imagine what it would be like to live without fresh water. In African countries, many people spend several hours each day in search of fresh water. It is essential for life, and we must have it in order to eat and live. Can you imagine taking two or three hours out of your day, every day, to walk several miles in search of fresh water for your family to drink, eat and bathe in?
The greatest threat we face today to our drinking water supply is the growing world population. During the 20th century, the world’s population tripled and continues to grow today. Some scientists believe that within 25 years, half of the world’s population will have trouble finding fresh water for drinking and sanitary purposes. In China, for example, each year the country consumes 30 cubic kilometers more water than can be replaced by regular rainfall. This amount will add up quickly as time goes by.
The fact is that water is the most important resource in the world, and it has been taken for granted and wasted for a long time. When the day comes when we start to see severe freshwater shortages in developed countries, war will undoubtedly break out over this precious resource. So while we should be concerned about issues like AIDS, foreign wars, and global warming, we should be just as concerned, if not more, about the growing problem that may one day become more critical to us than any other: a global shortage. freshwater