The world water shortage felt by all

The shortage of water today and the trending data reveal that a water crisis is much more than “projected” – it’s urgent, and it’s upon us. The impacts on businesses and organizations of all sizes are profound and far-reaching.

• Approximately 2.5 billion people – fully one-third of the world’s population – live in areas that the World Bank characterizes as “water stressed.” In 15 years, this will be 2/3 of the world’s population.
• Lands classified as “very dry” have doubled in the last forty years Groundwater levels are so low in China and India that they must draw water from underground sources
• Freshwater consumption has more than doubled since the second World War

 

Global Water Consumption 1900-2020

Organized by region and measured by billions of m3 per year

Three more points to consider

1. Not surprisingly then, projections indicate that agriculture and power generation will be the two industries that will apply the greatest stress to the dangerously low water levels. Lands that never required irrigation will soon need rivers diverted and dams built.
2. Not only do we not have enough water, the supplies we do have are suffering in quality. The increases in population mean increases in industrial production and energy use. This predictably leads to higher levels of pollution entering waterways.
3. Biofuels, electric cars, natural gas and wind power have been put forth as viable alternatives to making us less oil-dependent. The challenge, however, is that these four alternatives dramatically increase water utilization. Ironically, the lack of water in the future will limit our abilities to rely on these alternatives.

 

How this affects you

Water in every decision we make

As a business or college, water rates have begun to rise and will increase exponentially

As a government, governing bodies will be forced to react and place highly restrictive regulations upon any industry that uses natural resources.  China and India have already taken severe steps

As a global citizen, the world is experiencing water shortages, and demand for water utilization continues to increase. Each individual’s water actions affect supplies around the world.

Global Water Citizens

The world is experiencing water shortages, and demand for water continues to increase. Each individual’s water actions affect supplies around the world. We are all global water citizens.