Citizens often take for granted the importance of water. While this vital substance covers 70 percent of our planet, only three percent of it remains fresh. More than a billion people worldwide lack sufficient access to water, while inadequate sanitation burdens nearly two billion people. Many of the water systems that nourish ecosystems are dying out as a growing human population applies stress. Much of Earth’s major wetlands have dried up while agriculture has inefficiently used up water resources. It is estimated that by 2025, two-thirds of the world’s population may suffer from water shortages.
Over time, humans have successfully harnessed most of the world's natural waterways. However, such success has lead to the degradation of Earth’s water systems. Pollution remains a major issue. Pesticides and fertilizers from farms, untreated human wastewater, and industrial waste have contaminated sources of fresh water. Groundwater is also affected as pollutants seep through the layers of Earth. While the aftermath of some pollutants are immediate, others take time to build up before their effects become recognizable. Agriculture uses 70 percent of the world's fresh water, yet, due to leaky irrigation systems and faulty application, 60 percent of the water is wasted. Countries producing large amounts of food including India, China, Australia, Spain, and the United States have reached their water resource limit. Such wasteful usages result in the depletion of rivers, lakes, and underground fresh water resources. In the last 50 years, the human population has increased immensely, resulting in economic development and industrialization putting further stress on the Earth’s water resources. As the population increases, the need for fresh water also increases. It is only a matter of time before the population cannot be supported by Earth’s diminishing fresh water supply.
A great deal of long lasting impacts have presented themselves over the years. Since 1900, half of the world’s wetlands have been destroyed. These acres nurture major congregations of animals and ecosystems that are vital for human survival. Without them catastrophes such as food shortages result in a decrease of life expectancy in near by populations. The spread of diseases such as cholera and typhoid fever also remains a major issue due to improper water sanitation.
Organizations such as the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) have worked relentlessly to maintain the supply of fresh water. The WWF supports organizations and trains them to be responsible water stewards. Doing so, they hope to foster a global habit of responsible water usage. The WWF also works to tackle climate change and the effect it has on major wetlands. As a community, we should also practice responsible water usage in an effort to protect Earth’s freshwater resources.
By Anthony D.
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| Photo credit: Foter.com |
A great deal of long lasting impacts have presented themselves over the years. Since 1900, half of the world’s wetlands have been destroyed. These acres nurture major congregations of animals and ecosystems that are vital for human survival. Without them catastrophes such as food shortages result in a decrease of life expectancy in near by populations. The spread of diseases such as cholera and typhoid fever also remains a major issue due to improper water sanitation.
Organizations such as the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) have worked relentlessly to maintain the supply of fresh water. The WWF supports organizations and trains them to be responsible water stewards. Doing so, they hope to foster a global habit of responsible water usage. The WWF also works to tackle climate change and the effect it has on major wetlands. As a community, we should also practice responsible water usage in an effort to protect Earth’s freshwater resources.
By Anthony D.