Search results
Results from the WOW.Com Content Network
Water scarcity worsens water disputes because of competition for potable water, irrigation, electricity generation and other needs. [8] As freshwater is a vital, yet unevenly distributed natural resource, its availability often influences the living and economic conditions of a country or region.
This water scarcity relates to water available for food production, rather than for drinking water which is a much smaller amount. [3] [21] Some academics favour adding a third type which would be called ecological water scarcity. [19] It would focus on the water demand of ecosystems.
Water stress is one parameter to measure water scarcity. It is useful in the context of Sustainable Development Goal 6. [17] Half a billion people live in areas with severe water scarcity throughout the year, [11] [13] and around four billion people face severe water scarcity at least one month per year.
You are free: to share – to copy, distribute and transmit the work; to remix – to adapt the work; Under the following conditions: attribution – You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made.
Water scarcity: Water demand exceeds supply in many regions of the world. This can be due to population growth, higher living standards, general economic expansion and/or greater quantities of water used in agriculture for irrigation. Increasing water pollution and low levels of wastewater treatment, which is making local water unusable.
Water metering might benefit society by providing a financial incentive to avoid waste in water use. [20] Some researchers have suggested that water conservation efforts should be primarily directed at farmers, in light of the fact that crop irrigation accounts for 70% of the world's fresh water use. [21]
As water scarcity increases with climate change, the need for robust water resource policies will become more prevalent. An estimated 57% of the world's population will experience water scarcity at least one month out of the year by 2050. [8]
Water scarcity is also caused by production of water intensive products. For example, cotton: 1 kg of cotton—equivalent of a pair of jeans—requires 10.9 cubic metres (380 cu ft) water to produce. While cotton accounts for 2.4% of world water use, the water is consumed in regions that are already at a risk of water shortage.