This unit explores the topic of water and water scarcity Freshwater is a natural resource that is vital for human survival and health. The Earth is a very wet planet, but only 2.53% of its water is fresh; the rest is seawater (UNESCO, 2003). There is currently much concern about the capacity of the Earth’s freshwater resources to sustain human life and health in the near future. By 2050, when the global human population will reach almost nine billion people, seven billion people in 60 countries will be short of water unless action is taken. Half the human population will be short of water by 2025.
If predictions about a shortage of water for half the human population in 2025 seem alarming but far away, it is important to point out that, for many people, a water crisis is already a daily experience. As you will see later, many people in the world already face the severe adverse consequences for their health of having insufficient water and water that is also polluted. This is particularly true in Africa.
Lessons
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A global water crisis is already apparent to those who look beyond humans and consider what is happening to other species. Planet Earth is at the beginning of a mass extinction event that is eliminating species at a faster rate than at any time in the history of the planet.
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Climate change affects the global water cycle and a change in one component can have wide-ranging and unexpected consequences.
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A major share of the water people use throughout the world is lost through evaporation, leaks, and other losses. It is economically and technically feasible to reduce such water losses to 15%, thereby meeting most of the world’s water needs for the foreseeable future.
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Water is an essential resource today. However, privatization of water resources has led many to argue this continuous increase in water rates.
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Here's the list of words that are related to water scarcity
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Watch this video to review what you have learnt till now
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Here are some videos to understand the water crisis and issues that are related to it.
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Read stories and news articles related to water scarcity and issues related to it.
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The question asks how water is the most important environmental resource which holds a lot of value for people.
Assignments
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Watch the video and outline the ways in which water quality declines, and the effects this has on different people and places.
