The water crisis is real. Although many of us take for granted that we can turn on our taps and get as much clean water as we want or need, the fact is many areas around the globe are suffering severe water shortages. If we do nothing to conserve water, the shortages will eventually affect everyone on the planet even you.
Africa
Did you know that people in Africa spend roughly 40 billion hours a year just walking to locations where they can get clean water? According to Upmanu Lall at the Columbia Water Center, the lack of investment in infrastructure and an increase in population are two reasons for declining access to clean water. An increase in water droughts also affects the water supply.
China
In China, the recent growing economy has brought more factories and power plants to booming cities. The increase in household income has created the demand for more sources of entertainment. The new factories need water for heating and cooling, restaurants create a demand for agricultural farming which requires much more water, and Beijings new golf courses and ski resorts have greatly increased the demand for water.
United States
In the United States, urban areas have been growing at an increasingly rapid rate. With populations becoming more concentrated, the need for clean water becomes more concentrated as well. In California, the Department of Water Resources reports that water stored in the states snow pack is only half what it should be as of April 1, 2012.
Your Home
You may not even realize how much water you are using in your home. Did you know that an older style toilet uses three to four gallons per flush? According to Science Bug, it takes 18.5 gallons to produce one apple, 97 gallons of water to make one gallon of gasoline and 1,800 gallons of water to make a pair of jeans. We are all part of the problem when it comes to the growing water crisis. The good news is that by making a few changes, we can all be part of the solution.
There is no denying that a water crisis exists and it is increasingly urgent that individuals and companies across the globe continue to conserve water, find new methods of collecting rain water and develop better ways to recycle water. It is more important than ever to engage in practices and enact policies that promote water conservation. Vice-Chair of the World Economic Forum Margaret Catley-Carlson said: [Water] is the single constraint on the expansion of every city, and bankers and corporate executives have cited it as the only natural limit to economic growth. If you think there is no water crisis, you had better think again.
Africa
Did you know that people in Africa spend roughly 40 billion hours a year just walking to locations where they can get clean water? According to Upmanu Lall at the Columbia Water Center, the lack of investment in infrastructure and an increase in population are two reasons for declining access to clean water. An increase in water droughts also affects the water supply.
China
In China, the recent growing economy has brought more factories and power plants to booming cities. The increase in household income has created the demand for more sources of entertainment. The new factories need water for heating and cooling, restaurants create a demand for agricultural farming which requires much more water, and Beijings new golf courses and ski resorts have greatly increased the demand for water.
United States
In the United States, urban areas have been growing at an increasingly rapid rate. With populations becoming more concentrated, the need for clean water becomes more concentrated as well. In California, the Department of Water Resources reports that water stored in the states snow pack is only half what it should be as of April 1, 2012.
Your Home
You may not even realize how much water you are using in your home. Did you know that an older style toilet uses three to four gallons per flush? According to Science Bug, it takes 18.5 gallons to produce one apple, 97 gallons of water to make one gallon of gasoline and 1,800 gallons of water to make a pair of jeans. We are all part of the problem when it comes to the growing water crisis. The good news is that by making a few changes, we can all be part of the solution.
There is no denying that a water crisis exists and it is increasingly urgent that individuals and companies across the globe continue to conserve water, find new methods of collecting rain water and develop better ways to recycle water. It is more important than ever to engage in practices and enact policies that promote water conservation. Vice-Chair of the World Economic Forum Margaret Catley-Carlson said: [Water] is the single constraint on the expansion of every city, and bankers and corporate executives have cited it as the only natural limit to economic growth. If you think there is no water crisis, you had better think again.
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