The Shortage in the Supply of Clean Water Is a Looming Crisis in Some Regions of the World.
‘The shortage in the supply of clean water is a looming crisis in some regions of the world.’ Discuss the causes and consequences.
1. Introduction
Water shortage has been a worrisome problem facing the world. We mostly live in water-rich countries washing dishes, watering plants and taking a shower, it’s hard to imagine or realize there will be inadequate water supply for the world one day. Water is a finite resource such that the amount of fresh water supply provided by the hydrological cycle will not increase. Water occupies 71% of the world’s surface and is an integral part of the global hydrologic cycle which includes like precipitation, evaporation and soil moisture. Without this hydrologic cycle, even a human being cannot live for more than 3 days. It is easy to predict how the world will look like without water. So, water shortage, a life-or-death issue, demands immediate attention from every members of the planet.
2. Causes a. Global warming
Global warming refers to the rising average temperature of Earth 's atmosphere and oceans. People generally think global warming lead to ice melting and there will be more sufficient water supply. However, according to a study carried by the journal Nature, if the Earth warms just a degree or two Celsius in coming decades, regions that depend on runoff from mountain snows for drinking water and farming will face shortages. Actually water shortage caused by global warming is due to the increase in demand for water but not a drop in water supply. When there is global warming, the rise in earth’s temperature will lead to an increase in the evaporation rate of the moisture in soils, thus increasing the demands on irrigation in agricultural activities. Moreover, higher temperature will speed up the water cycle as water evaporates at a faster rate and rain more often and plants will benefit less. There will be the depletion of water tables and lead to water shortage. Therefore, although the amount of water
1. Introduction
Water shortage has been a worrisome problem facing the world. We mostly live in water-rich countries washing dishes, watering plants and taking a shower, it’s hard to imagine or realize there will be inadequate water supply for the world one day. Water is a finite resource such that the amount of fresh water supply provided by the hydrological cycle will not increase. Water occupies 71% of the world’s surface and is an integral part of the global hydrologic cycle which includes like precipitation, evaporation and soil moisture. Without this hydrologic cycle, even a human being cannot live for more than 3 days. It is easy to predict how the world will look like without water. So, water shortage, a life-or-death issue, demands immediate attention from every members of the planet.
2. Causes a. Global warming
Global warming refers to the rising average temperature of Earth 's atmosphere and oceans. People generally think global warming lead to ice melting and there will be more sufficient water supply. However, according to a study carried by the journal Nature, if the Earth warms just a degree or two Celsius in coming decades, regions that depend on runoff from mountain snows for drinking water and farming will face shortages. Actually water shortage caused by global warming is due to the increase in demand for water but not a drop in water supply. When there is global warming, the rise in earth’s temperature will lead to an increase in the evaporation rate of the moisture in soils, thus increasing the demands on irrigation in agricultural activities. Moreover, higher temperature will speed up the water cycle as water evaporates at a faster rate and rain more often and plants will benefit less. There will be the depletion of water tables and lead to water shortage. Therefore, although the amount of water