Water Crisis: A Looming Threat to Human Survival
The water crisis poses a significant threat to human survival, as water reservoirs are being depleted at an alarming rate. Approximately 1% of the available water is already being misused in various activities by the entire population on this planet. With growing needs for water, the situation becomes more difficult for each and every creature to get an adequate supply. The increased consumption of water at the agricultural, industrial, and domestic levels leads to the exhaustion of the reserves available in the world required for the sustainable life and growth of humans.
Multiple factors contribute to the unavailability of the required amount of water to human beings to fulfil their needs. The foremost among them is the rapid increase in the population across the globe. The United Nations Population Fund report of 2023 projects a population of around 8 billion that requires 60 litres of water per day by a single individual in activities like brushing, washing, drinking, and flushing. This indicates growing concerns for more water availability for such a large population to meet their day-to-day needs.
Climate change is another factor behind water scarcity on Earth. The varying weather patterns across the world lead to more severe environmental disasters, i.e., floods, melting of glaciers, and other hazards, in which the available water reserves are quickly draining out. It also results in extreme heat in some parts of the world that threatens human life.
Ineffective water supply lines also exacerbate the water crisis. The water being transferred from primary sources to filtration plants and pumping stations demands a widespread network of pipelines and supply chains to carry out the task effectively. However, in most countries, such mechanisms of disinfection, filtration, and supply are not managed and carried out tactfully, resulting in line losses and water leakage. At last, industries, factories, and households demand and consume more water from the actual sources, leading to its shortage in the long run.
The irresponsible use of water is another factor behind water scarcity in the world. People waste water without taking into consideration the element of the scarcity of water. It presents a bleak situation, as the already limited water source is poorly managed with running taps and water wasted through tankers. This not only affects the current population but also endangers future generations.
Additionally, the fact that water is largely free is a significant contributor to its scarcity. People pay only a minimal fee for this essential resource, leading to a lack of care in its ethical use. Consequently, governments also neglect the construction of barrages and dams as reservoirs. As Thomas Fuller famously said, “We never know the worth of water till the well is dry,” a notion that highlights how freely available resources are often taken for granted and wasted.
The water crisis across the world poses harmful impacts on humanity. It gives rise to food insecurity, hinders agricultural growth, and impedes the economic structure of the countries.
Promoting and implementing water conservation practices has become essential in addressing the pressing issue of water scarcity. Additionally, adopting water pricing strategies can encourage more efficient use of water resources. Desalination, which involves the extraction of salt and other impurities from seawater or brackish water to produce fresh water, may also offer a viable solution.
Given that all living beings rely on water, this crisis poses significant challenges, yet it also has the potential to motivate individuals to take remarkable actions toward resolving it. The key lies in recognizing the true value of water before we face a critical shortage. It is crucial to understand that people’s livelihoods are inherently linked to the water that flows from their taps. The crisis is widespread, and human activities only exacerbate the situation through unsustainable practices that disturb environmental balance and jeopardize human lives. To address these challenges effectively, we must implement comprehensive strategies to safeguard this vital resource for the future.
The views and opinions expressed in this article/paper are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of The Spine Times.
