It Takes a Lot of Blue to Stay Green
As temperatures rise, rainfall will continue to fluctuate, becoming a nuisance in the form of floods or a long-lost hope by creating harmful water shortages and drought. In addition to climate change, human factors like collapsed infrastructure and poor management of water sources are denying people their right to clean water and sanitation.
Water scarcity can have profound consequences for human health. Diminished flows in rivers and streams can increase harmful pollutants. When waterways become dry, animals may seek water near places where people live, increasing the likelihood of disease-carrying insects in the area. More directly, water scarcity limits safe water to drink and safe hygiene practices at home, schools, and health-care facilities. With low water, sewage systems can stop working and increase the spread of diseases like cholera. Additionally, droughts elevate the risks of wildfires and dust storms, which can irritate the lungs and airways.
Drought creates a host of problems for the environment and population. With low precipitation, crops can easily dry out and die. According to drought.gov, as of March 1st, 2023, about 221.7 million acres of crops were experiencing drought conditions. Over prolonged periods of time, they severely impact water levels in lakes and reservoirs, impacting nearby cities and communities. In turn, this fuels mass migration and lower economic rates. Impacting 40% of the world’s population, according to the World Health Organization, as many as 700 million people are at risk of being displaced due to drought by 2030.
Water scarcity takes a huge toll on women and children. When water is far away and limited, it takes more time to collect, which takes away time for children’s education. For girls, water shortages in schools impact their attendance and performance. Collecting water is a physical burden that many people have to endure, which exposes them to many health and safety risks.
What do we do?
There are many ways to make a difference in the impacts of water scarcity. First, it is crucial that we educate the public about the crisis and motivate others to take action. Investing in technologies like rainwater systems, solar and UV water filtration, and wastewater recycling is a good way to take action. Efficient agriculture irrigation systems like monitoring weather stations and communications systems, as well as less water-intensive crops, are effective ways to save water. Getting industries and individuals to stop dumping toxic substances in the water and instead dispose of them safely are critical steps for clean water. Lastly, encouraging water conservation in our everyday lives, like installing water saving fixtures and using a broom to clean sidewalks instead of water hoses, can make us feel better about ourselves and save a lot of much needed water for the community.