The Imminet global crisis - Essay Example

The Imminent Global Fresh water Crisis Water is, literally, the most important source of life on Earth. The survival of all living creatures dependson water. The human body consists of 70% water. People feel that they are thirsty after they lose only 1% of their bodily fluids. If they lose 10% they risk death. Water also is essential for maintaining our health in good condition - it helps digest food and supplies oxygen to the blood cells. Yet, in a growing number of places, people extract water from lakes, rivers, and underground sources faster than they can be renewed.

The world now is on the verge of unprecedented fresh water crisis. This global issue is very alarming, because it affects every single aspect of our lives on Earth. The prime cases of the water crisis are the climate change, population growth and human waste. Climate change and in particular the global warming is the primary force triggering the water crisis. In his article Madrigal (2008) says that 60% of the changes in the West's water cycle are linked to the atmospheric greenhouse gases. He describes a research conducted which found that the increases in winter air temperature reduce the amount of snow which falls in the mountains.

In return, the snow packs that acted as water storage provide less water as they melt in the spring. Furthermore, human activity can lead to the global warming too. Burning of fossil fuels are blamed for the melting of glaciers and leaving less drinkable water and less water for crop irrigation. Population growth requires more fresh water for the basic needs of food production. According to the Population Reports (1998) the increase in population "alone will push an estimated 17 more countries, with a projected population of 2.

1 billion, into these water-short categories within the next 30 years (69)." By the year 2025, 35% of the projected global population which will account to 2.8 billion people will be affected by the water scarcity (1998 135). As population increases globally, the water use rises proportionately. In addition the population is concentrated in industrial and urban metropolitan areas which will result in an escalating demand for water and will cause serious environmental issues for the near future.

One of those problems is the domestic and farming consumption and how the scarce water resources will be allocated as the supple of freshwater is limited. Human waste is another reason for the water crisis. The supply of available freshwater is shrinking due to the pollution of freshwater resource, pollution we are making. "Moreover, In some countries lakes and rivers have become receptacles for a vile assortment of wastes, including untreated or partially treated municipal sewage, toxic industrial effluents, and harmful chemicals leached into surface and ground waters from agricultural activities (1998 114).

" Many countries face the dead-end situation of having no water at all for sanitation, drinking and everyday living. The measures that must be taken to decrease the global freshwater crises include specific investments such as a combination of new technologies for water conservation and desalination technologies. Of great significance is for governments to promote priority actions in the water management. They have to prevent further water pollution intensification so as to reduce health hazards and to protect ecosystems.

Protection measures need to be publicly promoted and people should be aware how to meet the water shortage. Improvement of the water infrastructure is vital for the efficiency of all actions taken for the sustainable water use. Coordination between international and intergovernmental bodies will strengthen the processes in all water-related issues and will stimulate international financial institutions to fund more water projects. Work cited:Madrigal, A., (2008), Study: Climate Change Escalating Severe Western Water Crisis, retrieved on 28 September 2009, http://www.wired.com/science/planetearth/news/2008/01/water_crisisPopulation Reports is published by the Population Information Program, Center for Communication Programs, The Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, 111 Market Place, Suite 310, Baltimore, Maryland 21202-4012, USA, Volume XXVI, Number 1 September, 1998 retrieved on 28 September 2009 from http://www.

infoforhealth.org/pr/m14/m14chap1.shtml#top