The Problems of Earth: Fresh water crisis
Fresh water is water that does not contain any salt. Waterfalls and lake in the island of Flores, the Azores archipelago. (Nacho Oria, 2020) Water demand globally is projected to increase by 55% between 2000 and 2050. Much of it is driven by agriculture, which accounts for 70% of global freshwater use. Water withdrawal for energy is also expected to increase by over 20%. According to NASA, many of the world’s freshwater sources are being drained faster than they are being replenished. 21 out of 37 of the world’s major aquifers –underground water reservoirs– are receding. The Ganges Basin is depleting. Mexico City, built on ancient lake beds is now importing 40% of its water. In California, from 2011 to 2016 roughly 1,900 wells ran dry. A system to retain water in a water-stressed area. (Circle of blue, 2020) Less than 3% of the Earth’s water is fresh water: the 69% of it is frozen in glaciers and polar caps, and an other 30% is under the surface –groundwater–. ...