If we didn’t have water, we’d die. Water resources are taken for granted, but here’s some interesting facts about H2O
There is an uneven distribution of water resources around the world. Antarctica covers about 90% of the freshwater supply in the world.
75% of water globally is used for agricultural use.
WHO’s report in 2000 indicated that approximately 1.1 billion people have no access to quality water supply.
The report indicated that by the year 2025, two out of three people would not access water. In Africa, about 25 countries will suffer from water shortages by the year 2025.
Approximately 20% of the world’s population lacks access to quality water. Sanitation and access to clean water are the main issues faced by many countries around the globe.
A significant cause of death arises from sanitation issues and diarrhea diseases due to limited hygiene.
Water used for domestic use, mainly drinking, continues to be scarce. According to a report done by the WHO, by the year 2025, water scarcity will increase by 50% in developing countries.
Freshwater ecosystems are the primary source of habitats for animals and plants throughout the world. Human activities continue to interfere with plant and animal habitats.
Conversion of land to agricultural use is the main reason for the decline of the world’s wetlands over the years.
In general, 70% of water is used for agriculture, 22% for industrial purposes, and 8% for domestic use worldwide.
Apart from agriculture, hydropower is one of the most significant energy sources in many countries around the world.
Tourism, particularly golf tourism, is estimated to consume approximately 2.3 million liters a day. Tourism is another great water-dependent sector.
Limited water supply in many countries affects the poor more due to the hiking of water prices.
Statistics by the World Commission on Dams indicated in 1998 that there was a total of 47,6555 large dams and approximately 800,000 small dams. This figure has grown over the years.
Free-flowing rivers continue to be at risk due to the increased number of dams globally.
The Mobile Bay drainage in the U.S is one example of a negative impact of dam construction. The construction of the dam led to the extinction of flora and fauna. However, as of 2000, the system has more than 33 major hydroelectric dams in operation.
Countries such as Egypt and South Africa are estimated to be already experiencing water scarcity in some parts.
The majority of women in these countries are forced to bear the burden of walking for kilometers to meet their water needs.
According to medical research, these women are prone to health issues such as chronic fatigue and spinal deformities. In addition, due to limited water supply, many women and children suffer from trachoma.
As a matter of public health, it is essential to provide clean water to cities with water supplies to taps to reach homesteads.
A clean water supply distributed to homes can reduce diarrheal diseases and promote better hygiene.
The number of deaths annually from contaminated water continues to grow. Approximately 1.8 million people die from diarrhea attributed diseases.
Changes in the ocean level are one of the main effects of global warming. More energy in the climate system is associated with an intensified hydrological cycle. This means that due to changes in the hydrological cycle, results are more rainfall.
Heavy rainfall is evident primarily in mid and high latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere. However, the tropics continue to experience decreased rainfall.
Climatic conditions have a significant influence on the intensity of floods and drought experienced worldwide. These fluctuations affect ground and surface water used in various human activities such as irrigation, power generation, and recreational activities.
Africa’s large basins, such as Lake Chad and Senegal, show a decrease in water volume.
Glaciers and icecaps are concentrated in Antarctica and Greenland. They contribute to approximately 70% of the freshwater globally.
More than 55% of the glacier is lost annually due to climate changes.
Irrigation systems, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, are expensive due to the costs of infrastructure.
Irrigated areas, especially in developing countries, continues to grow as we approach 2030
Approximately half of the world’s wetlands have been lost in the last centuries.
Wetlands are the most fundamental parts of the environment. They are a source of water and habitat for both plants and animals.
Mountains are also a significant source of freshwater. They provide both rain and snow.
Mountains provide for about 60% of the world’s freshwater.
One expected impact of climate change is flooding. In September 2000, floods caused the deaths of many people in Asia and Japan.
Floods and landslides in 1999 contributed to more than 50,000 deaths. More adverse effects are experienced in developing countries in Africa and Asia.
The other natural disaster is drought which affects 46% of Africa’s population.
Coasts throughout the world are at risk of development-related activities.
Eutrophication is also a significant issue affecting semi-enclosed seas. This continues to affect marine populations and marine aquaculture populations such a fish.
Climate changes contribute to a rise in the ocean and sea levels. This results in the submergence of coastal areas, which affects humans living around the coast.
Facts about water in Africa and Asia
In Africa, approximately 85% of water is used for agricultural activities.
Malaria is the leading cause of death for children in Africa below the age of five.
Women in South Africa and some regions in East Africa spend their time fetching water.
The Middle East and North Africa experience water scarcity compared to other African regions.
Many countries are Asia are faced with challenges of sanitation and hygiene.
Water supply in Asia is the second-lowest after Africa.
Asia has experienced natural disasters such as floods and droughts over the past ten years.
Many countries in Asia have new hydropower schemes contributing to the energy systems.
China and Taiwan
China is experiencing major issues with desertification.
Desertification is a significant challenge in China and Taiwan.
Nepal, Himalayas, and Singapore
Nepal is a great water resource in Asia, originating in the Himalayan mountains. Due to global warming, Himalayan glaciers continue to recede. The melting of glaciers is the leading cause of flooding predicted by scientists in the future. This is a significant challenge in China, Nepal, and Northern India.
The primary strategy adopted by the Singapore government is reclaiming water from sewage into freshwater.
Central Asia, Middle East, and other Asian regions
Approximately 90% of total freshwater in Central and East Asia go into agriculture. 10% go to domestic use and industrial use.
Water resources are at risk of climate change, pollution, and an increase in populations.
Majority of people living in Asia lack access to clean water.
Facts about Water in Europe
There is an uneven distribution of water in Europe. Human activities such as dam construction, irrigation activities, and agriculture are the primary source of influence on water resources.
Europe, however, has a high water coverage accessible to 97% of the population.
There is a remarkable improvement in Europe aimed at reducing pollution and industrial discharges in rivers.
The main challenge for European rivers is ecological conditions contributed by dam construction, canalization, and pollution.
Over the past decade, Europe has experienced natural disasters such as floods and droughts, resulting in significant deaths.
A report indicated that half of Europe’s alpine glaciers are threatened as we approach 2025.
Latin America and the Caribbean, and the United States
Latin America is rich in water resources. Rivers such as Amazon, Parana, and Magdalena contribute a great deal to continental surface water.
Groundwater pollution in Latin America primarily arises from the disposal of metals, chemicals, and waste.
Populations in the urban areas do not experience water scarcity compared to populations in the rural areas.
There are high costs of supplying water in urban regions of Latin America and the Caribbean.
The Caribbean has experienced hydro-meteorological disasters over the past decades.
The United States has over 3 million miles of rivers.
A large water consumer in the United States is industrialization.
80 % of water in the U.S is used for irrigation and agriculture
The majority of wetlands in the U.S are channelized.
Approximately a fifth of the U.S freshwater fish is endangered, vulnerable, or extinct.
Facts about women and water
Women play a central role in managing and safeguarding water. Women play a crucial role in decisions on sanitation, domestic water, and food supplies.
To eliminate water scarcity issues, women are participating in communal activities that generate knowledge on water resources management to accommodate their needs.
Facts about water and population
The increase in population worldwide is one of the reasons for the increased exploitation of water.
Water is a renewable source only if it’s within limits.
Projections indicate a decrease in water as we approach 2025.
There is an uneven distribution of freshwater across the world. The most alarming projections indicate that with the increase in populations, countries are bound to experience water scarcity by 2050
Results indicate that Sub-Saharan Africa experiences the lowest coverage when it comes to access to safe water.
Facts about water and natural disasters
Changes in the climate cause the effects of natural disasters such as extreme droughts, floods.
This burden is mainly experienced in poor and developing countries.
A single disaster has the power to lower the Gross National Product (GNP) in poor and developing countries.
More people have been affected by disasters, even resulting in deaths.
Facts about Floods
In a year, the effects of flooding may affect up to 520 million people globally.
The impacts of flooding in developing and developing countries are more severe than already developed countries due to costs of damages.
Agriculture is the most affected sector by floods.
Asia is considered the continent with the greatest flood hazard globally.
Changes in flood events are attributed to increased population, deforestation, and climate change.
Facts about drought and desertification
More than 250 million people are affected by drought contributed by desertification.
It is estimated that by 2025, individuals living in water-scarce areas will rise to 2.4 billion.
Durations and droughts vary. For example, severe droughts may last longer and cover more extended geographical areas.
Of all-natural disasters, drought presents more challenges, among which are the deaths of livestock and people.
According to statistics done by FAO/UNEP, in Africa, countries in North and West Africa are challenged by severe desertification problems.
The worst affected areas are areas along desert margins.
Facts about Water Quality and Water Use
Interrelated factors such as geology, climate, and biological processes determine the quality of natural waters such as rivers and lakes.
The most common sources of water pollution are human waste, industrial waste, and waste from agricultural activities.
An excessive amount of pollution in rivers and lakes is toxic for drinking and domestic use.
70% of water globally is used for agriculture, 22% for industrial activities, and 8% is used for domestic purposes.
However, these statistics may be different in developing countries.
In developing countries such as Asia and Africa, water for domestic purposes may represent a higher percentage.
Agriculture is estimated to consume 70% of all water withdrawn from rivers and lakes.
Hydropower is considered a significant contributor pf the world’s energy.
Hotels and recreational activities such as golf tourism consume more than 5 million liters of water a day.
Lindsey Angus Hughson
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