Photographer : Yujie
Though it may not seem like it, there is a very limited supply of fresh water on this planet. Earth is mostly covered in water, but 97% of its supply is salty ocean water, and not suitable for drinking. The rest isn't very accessible either, with nearly three-quarters either frozen in polar ice caps or present as ground moisture. Less than 1% of the world's water is in freshwater lakes and rivers.
With the world population more than 6 billion and growing, this is presenting quite a problem. More than 1.1 billion people worldwide do not have adequate drinking water, and more than double that are without adequate water for sanitation. This is thought to be the leading cause of death worldwide, and could account for as much as 80% of all human illnesses. More than 3,900 children die each day due to diarrhoea caused by lack of water.
Australia, being the driest continent, is also feeling the effects of water shortage. Australian farmers are experiencing the worst drought in Australian history, which will have devastating effects on food supplies and the economy -- not to mention their personal lives. On average, every four days, another Australian farmer commits suicide, according to Australian Divisions of General Practice chairman Tony Hobbs.
The problem isn't going to get better anytime soon, either. The UN estimates that by 2025, more than two thirds of the world -- about 4.6 billion people by then -- will not have adequate water. This won't just be in third world nations, either; it is estimated that Adelaide's drinking water will be below World Health Organisation safety levels two days out of five.
As the crisis escalates, the potential for violence rises as well. When a group of people is without water, nothing else seems more important. Wars might not be fought over oil or territory, but to quench thirst. In 2000, Meir Ben Meir, the former Israeli Water Commissioner, said, "I can promise that if there is not sufficient water in our region, if there is scarcity of water, if people remain thirsty for water, then we shall doubtless face war."
Steps are being taken to improve conditions, but more needs to be done. Developed nations need to help their underdeveloped neighbours build waste water treatment plants, and those with adequate water supplies need to conserve water better.
You can help in this effort yourself. You've probably been advised to turn off the tap when brushing your teeth, but there's even more: try taking shorter showers, and using the half-flush on the toilet when possible. You may even consider purchasing a rain barrel to store rainwater that can later be used in the garden. For every inch of rain that falls on your roof, thousands of gallons of water are rolling down your driveway, unused. With lots of us acting towards one goal, these many little changes will make a huge difference
How do I know this?
ABC News Online,
Farmer suicide rates worry GPs,
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200610/s1771783.htm
Melbourne Water,
Australia, the driest continent,
http://conservewater.melbournewater.com.au/content/driest.asp
Miller c 2003, 'Time to act on global water crisis: forum',
The Age, 17 March,
http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/03/16/1047749663664.html
UN Water for Life,
Meeting global targets for water and sanitation,
http://www.un.org/waterforlifedecade/factsheet.html
Wikipedia free Encyclopaedia,
Water crisis,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_crisis
