Annual Editions:Article # 43

The World’s Water Challenge

Brittany Goldrick

What is the estimated assumption of the worlds access to fresh water?

• According to a major report issued by the 2030 water resources group, estimated if everything continues on the path it is now, the global demand for fresh water could rise to 40% over the next 20 years.

What is an example of a missed prediction that occurred in 2008?

• In 2008, there was a spike in food prices, rise in energy prices and serious droughts. They all occurred at the same time which goes to show how little we know about these relationships.

In what percentages is water used globally?

• An estimated 884 million people worldwide do not have access to fresh drinking water

• 2.5 billion do not have adequate sanitation• 1.8 million people, 90% of those children, die as a

result of unsafe drinking water and poor hygiene• China-75% of its urban rivers are unsuitable for

drinking or fishing• China- 90% of urban ground water is

contaminated

How could shared water cause tension among nations?

• 40% of the world population lives in more then 260 international river basins of major social and economic importance

• 10 of these basins are shared by 5 or more countries

Give an example of where water is being overdrawn

• The Colorado river system is being over drawn• This river supplies: Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San

Diego as well as other communities in the southwest.

What steps should the international community take to address the water crisis?• 1) Safe drinking water needs to be made available to all

people• 2) Analysis of sustainability water management across the

world• 3) The market value of water needs to be addressed• 4) Technology needs to become more advanced, this

should help with the issue of supply and demand• 5) Climate change needs to be addressed in relation to how

it is effecting our water supply• 6) The link between water, agriculture, and energy needs to

be focused on