Water is regarded as the most important natural resource on the earth. It is essential for the sustenance of life on earth. The global freshwater crisis is gradually becoming a crucial issue in different countries of the world. I think that many of us have read or heard about the news of people suffering from water scarcity in different countries via news channels and newspapers. The scarcity of water is worsening the condition of people in many of the countries. They are not even having the availability of fresh water for their daily needs. The global freshwater crisis is an important topic for exam aspirants.
Here are some short and long paragraphs provided by me on this topic. I hope that these paragraphs might be an aid in understanding this topic. It might also be useful for the students in getting an idea of writing an essay or paragraph on this topic.
We all are well aware of the fact that Earth is termed as a ‘Blue Planet’. It is because the maximum portion of the surface of the earth is covered by water but 97% of this water cannot be utilized by human beings as it is salty ocean water. There is only 3% of fresh water on the earth and that is in form of ice, surface water, and groundwater.
The surface water present in rivers, lakes, ponds is available easily for use. Access to groundwater requires infrastructure and the use of technologies. The freshwater present on earth would be sufficient for the people if used wisely. The changed pattern of using freshwater has resulted in the scarcity of water on the earth.
The problem of water scarcity at different places around the world is becoming a serious issue at present. This water shortage is growing worse day by day. The countries like Kuwait, Israel, Lebanon, Qatar, etc are the names of some of the countries that are facing the problem of excessive water scarcity. There is no availability of water to fulfill the demands of the people living in these countries.
They have to carry water from larger distances to carry out their regular activities. The problem of flood or drought also leads to water scarcity at different geographical locations in the world. This problem of scarcity of water cannot be reduced until and unless we adopt the habit of sustainable use of water resources.
Have you realized that how would be the life without the presence of water? It is difficult to imagine the same because living life without water is impossible. We need water for different purposes like drinking, washing, cooking, bathing, etc. Water scarcity states about the less availability of water for different purposes. There are many places in the world that are affected by this problem and people in these countries do not have access to clean water.
The percentage of fresh water on the earth’s surface is only 1% but is enough to fulfill the needs if used in a useful way. The changed lifestyle of people, growing population, increasing of pollution, climate changes are affecting the availability of fresh water on earth. The day is not far when more than half of the population on the earth will be the victim of this crucial problem.
Thus it is mandatory to change the pattern of our water usage so that it could fulfill the needs of people on the earth. The construction of new infrastructures like wells, boreholes , etc. can possibly aid in making the groundwater available in water-scarce areas.
Freshwater is the requirement of every individual on this earth for carrying out different processes of life. The percentage of freshwater is only 3% on this earth. The maximum percentage of freshwater is in form of glaciers, ice, and snow. Only 1% is available easily in form of rivers, ponds, lakes, and surface water. This percentage of freshwater is fixed since the formation of the earth. It evaporates and returns back in different forms of precipitation on the earth. These processes help in maintaining the water cycle on the earth.
Factors Leading to The Water Crisis
It is evident that people on the earth have easy access to only 1% of freshwater resources on the earth. This percentage of freshwater was sufficient earlier but is less according to the needs of people at present. It is only because the quantity and quality of water have decreased because the population and usage have increased.
This rising population is also the major reason for rising pollution on earth. The increasing pollution has deteriorated the quality of water present in rivers and lakes. Thus, it can be stated that the rising pollution, population, and changed lifestyle are the major causes of the water crisis on the earth.
Sustainable Use of Water is Essential
The sustainable use of water means that we must use the water resource in such a way that it fulfills the need of the present generation as well as future generations. We must realize the importance of water and use it in a wise way without doing its wastage.
A massive scarcity of water resources has been noticed in different countries of the world at present. This has greatly affected the lives of people. There are some countries that are facing an extreme crisis of water for the last ten years and this problem will be getting serious day by day. It is greatly affecting the lives of people living in those water-scarce nations.
Water Scarcity Resulting in Bad Sanitation and Health issues
We need clean water for drinking and continuing our life processes like bathing, cooking, washing, etc. Have we ever thought that the water that we get is from our rivers, lakes, and underground water? The rising pollution has resulted in causing the rise in the pollution level of major Rivers of the world. The source of water is getting polluted day by day. Therefore, it is difficult that such a huge population can avail clean water for use.
The majority of the population in different countries of the world is devoid of clean water and they have to survive on the poor quality of water. This poor quality of water is resulting in causing various water-borne diseases in the people. More than 2000 children every year die at a young age because of these diseases. Thus, it is necessary to save and use water wisely so that everybody on earth can have access to clean water.
The Problem of Water Crisis Requires an Urgent solution
The problem of water scarcity at different places on earth is a harsh reality at present. It requires an urgent solution so that people can get out of this crucial issue. The women and girls have to carry loads of water from larger distances to get fulfill their household needs. We need to realize the worsening situation and act accordingly so that we can save ourselves from the worst situation of the water crisis in the future.
Water harvesting, sustainable use of water resources, less pollution, control on population expansion, saving our forests, can be the major steps towards solving the water crisis in the nation. If these steps are not taken earlier then the third world war might be taking place for the water.
Read Also :
Ans. The unavailability of clean water to the population in different countries of the world is termed a Global Freshwater Crisis.
Ans. World Water Day is celebrated every year on the 22nd of March.
Ans. Asia is the continent of the world that is badly affected by water scarcity.
Ans. Water scarcity will be affecting the entire planet till 2040.