Water Scarcity
Water Scarcity
Water scarcity is the lack of sufficient available water resources to meet the demands within a region. Many people may know that water covers 70% of the earth surface, with the thought of having plenty of water. Although, there is only 3% of the fresh water fit for human consumption. This implies that the water shortage problem is a real one, which affects around 27% of the world’s population. From 70% to 3% sounds awfully scary to think about, we are going to look at the causes, solutions, and effects of water shortage.
Causes of Water Scarcity
Pollution
Pollution is the main threat to causing the availability and reuse of water. The degradation of water has an environmental struggle in making water unfit for consumption. when industrial wastes are deposited into water bodies, It cannot be used for drinking. This makes it scarce.
Overuse/Wastage of Water
The misuse of water leads to lowering the percentage of water, fit for human consumption. Poor management of water resources based on industrial activities or domestic use. Therefore becomes inadequate for other equally important uses.
Climate Change
Lastly, climate change is worsening the water crisis of the world, there are more droughts, heat waves, and floods. For example, glaciers and ice packs are melting affecting the freshwater supplies. Therefore, society does not have enough water for important uses.
Effect of Water Scarcity
Poverty
The key to having access to the quality of water is to gain economic prosperity and better living standards. In the poorest of countries, many kids can't go to school, mostly because their living isn't up to standards. Many children cannot learn because of their fatigue, heavy responsibilities and worries for their families. Children have to walk a great distance into getting their water, even though the water isn't great in quality.
Health
In many countries, people all around the world drink from low-quality water from flowing streams, which are most likely contaminated. There are many water-borne diseases that people die off. Dehydration due to the obvious lack of drinking water is affected by water shortages. When there is a shortage, people may not bath. Their unclean bodies can be a suitable place for infections by diseases and attack by parasites.
Sanitation issues and diseases
From all these water shortages creates sanitation problems by forcing people to drink unsafe water. The lack of water makes chores that involve water, quite difficult because it will all remain dirty and unhygienic. which will make a negative effect on a person health. Increases the risk of domestic water contamination from the lack of water.
Solutions
Sustainable water management
Managing water could be one of the main solutions that could stop water shortages around the world. People should be educated on the benefits of conserving water. Water conservation and efficiency are key components in making sustainable water management.
Pollution control & better sewage treatment
Pollution control and Better sewage treatment could give water proper sanitation. Without it, the water could become diseased and unsafe to use for the people. That is why addressing pollution, measuring and monitoring water quality is essential. This gives the world a better chance in withstanding water scarcity and changes it for the future.
Awareness & Education
Lastly, for any of this to work, we must have awareness and education of the multiple places around the world. People should be educated on the benefits of conserving water. With education, we gain knowledge of how to change the world for the generations to come. It is necessary to radically reform all forms of consumption, from individual use to the supply chains of large companies.
Bottom line
We, the people, must find it in our hearts to care about other places around the world, who are indeed suffering water shortages. The solution listed above is only the bare minimum of what we can do. Let's get educated and give out awareness to save the people all around us.
