We are all aware of the importance of water as an element of life and a common good for the survival of the living beings that we inhabit the earth. Without a doubt, the greatest benefit that water provides us, commonly called “blue gold”, is the use we make of it to hydrate. However, water plays other multiple uses in our day to day; Uses in irrigation of irrigated agriculture crops, in industries, in the water that we use for domestic purposes (cooking, cleaning and cleaning), etc. In this way, water is considered one of the most important public health indicators of any population.
On the other hand, outside the anthropic ecosystem, water is the stabilizer of the Earth, since it controls the climates and cleans the atmosphere of polluting particles. It is also considered the universal solvent par excellence, because it is possible to solubilize almost all substances and, as if that were not enough, also thanks to the water the plants are able to absorb their nutrients.
For all this, Protecting and conserving water is of vital importanceespecially if we take into account the serious conflict of water scarcity. Continue reading this Ecology Verde article to learn more about the Water scarcity: what is, causes and consequences.
What is water scarcity
The great increase in fresh water consumption as a natural resource has become in recent decades a serious problem that faces humanity, which has caused it to have Lack of water to supply the world population. The demanding demand for “blue gold” among the population has caused the amount of fresh water available to supply all regions and populations of the planet is not sufficient.
In 2018, a report by the United Nations Educational, Science and Culture (UNESCO) organization warned that Water scarcity will affect 5,000 million people from here to 2050. The main reasons?, Climate change, the increase in demand and contamination of the supply, among many other factors.
Next, let’s see what are the main causes of water shortage.
Main causes of water shortage
Both historical and political, there are many countries that have hindered the correct water management, since many territories only focused on the desire to achieve greater economic and geopolitical development. In this way, water scarcity should not necessarily be associated with poor and underdeveloped countries, since there are also numerous developed countries that suffer the causes and consequences of water scarcity.
The main ones causes that have resulted in water scarcity are:
- The destruction of natural water sources: These have been carried out by overexploitation of rivers and groundwater reserves.
- Greater demand: The massive population, industrial and agrarian growth has made the demand for water rise dramatically.
- Consumption patterns: They generate great imbalances by not allowing the available water to be renewed.
- Climate change: The great responsible for the worst times of droughts is climate change, a big problem that we have caused among society.
- Bad distribution: One of the main causes of water scarcity is the non -equitable distribution of fresh water in the world.
- Contaminated water: It is worth highlighting the pollution of rivers, streams, lakes and lagoons due tol Display of different toxic waste. Among these waste we find those that come from industrial and domestic waste and those derived from crop fields in which agrochemicals have been used. If you are interested in knowing more information, do not miss this article on solutions to water pollution.
- The unsustainable extraction of water from fountains, rivers and lakes: This extraction prevents water from following its cycle as a renewable resource. This is because, generally, water is extracted much faster than it takes to renew.
- Mass urbanization: The last major cause is urbanization, as it is concentrated in populations with growing demographic rates. We cannot forget the Exodus Field-Cities, because it entails a higher standard of living and, consequently, a greater use of water
In the next section we will focus on describing what consequences the shortage of water entails.
Consequences of water scarcity
Water scarcity situations are serious threats to world security, since both supply and water renewal in the world suffers more and more difficulties. Therefore, access to this fundamental element has become a source of power or, on the contrary, a threat of discord that entails various consequences. These are the main consequences of water scarcity In the world:
- Conflicts between states worldwide.
- Water stress situations in the population due to the deficit of available resources.
- Difficulties in the population to provide water with the quality and in the necessary amounts.
- The little awareness about the problem of water scarcity results in damage to the maintenance of the amount and quality of the available water, as well as to establish an equitable distribution for its consumption. To remedy this conflict, take a look at this other article, why it is important to take care of water.
- Health risks when consuming water that has not received a correct treatment and has been subject to stagnations and proliferations of insects, rodents and other animals carrying infectious diseases.
Here we leave you a video that will help you learn more on the subject of water scarcity.
If you want to read more articles similar to Water scarcity: what is, causes and consequenceswe recommend that you enter our category of other environment.
- Agudelo, RM (2005) Water, strategic resource of the 21st century. National Faculty of Public Health, University of Antioquia. Volume (23): 93-101.
- Writing equipment (03/19/2018) UN: in 2050 about 5,000 million people will live in areas with water scarcity. EFE Magazine: Green, World Water Forum.
- Cabrera, E. (2002) How to live with water scarcity? The case of the Canary Islands. Geological and Minero Bulletin, Madrid. Volume 113 (3): 243-258.
- Costa, C. et. AL, (2005) The water scarcity index: a crisis indicator or an alert to guide water resource management? Engineering Magazine, University of Los Andes. Volume (22): 104-111.
