( Seven minute read)

Fresh water is emerging as the most critical resource issue facing humanity.

No technology can double the flow of any River, or enhance other surface and ground water resources. It would indeed be a wonderful achievement to see these technologists produce crops without water!

At first glance, human health seems unrelated to natural resources.

Historically, decisions to protect the environment have been based on isolated crises and are usually made only when catastrophes strike. By 2050 almost 40 per cent of the world population will live in areas of high water stress.

The human carrying capacity of the world will not be addressed until the situation becomes intolerable or, possibly, irreversible.

There is no need for me to remind you that water is a finite resource, that is essential to human existence. “There’s not an infinite supply of water nor will there be.

Our climate — whether you want to call it global warming or climate change — is different from it was 50 years ago.

New NASA data show how the world is running out of water. 

The world’s largest underground aquifers – a source of fresh water for hundreds of millions of people — are being depleted at alarming rates, according to NASA satellite data.

Twenty-one of the world’s 37 largest aquifers have passed their sustainability tipping points, meaning more water was removed than replaced during the decade-long study period. Water demand will outstrip supply by 2030.

Water scarcity will become such an issue that it will hinder economic growth, spurs migration and sparks conflict, creating large and uneven consequences across the globe.

What’s at stake

Water shortages will be the catalyst of future conflicts.

There are 276 transboundary lake and river basins in the world, fewer than half of which are covered by treaties. Some 148 countries include territory within such basins, which account for an estimated 60 per cent of global freshwater flow.

Combine water scarcity with political instability, increasing resource demands and climate change, and the ‘perfect storm’ for conflict can be created.

What if anything can be done? 

There is no global government in relation to the environmental agenda.

All of our basic resources, such as land, water, energy, and biota, are inherently limited. The biological resources determine the current and future status of the support services for human life.

The chances of reorienting globalization to the aims of a sustainable society is all but impossible

Because consumerism collides with ecological issues over environmental ones.

Because of the transnational character of environmental degradation.

Because the current world order is not suited do dealing with global environmental problems.

Because there is an absence of responsibility of political leaders ( Mr Trump) towards adverse effects on the environment.

Because the importance of water to life means that providing for water needs and demands will never be free of politics.

There is no easy answer. 

Along with increased urbanization, world population  — and economic growth, all of which demand and consume larger and larger amounts of water.

Other than we must avoid letting humans numbers continue to increase to the limit of the Earth’s natural resources and forcing natural forces to control our numbers by disease, malnutrition, and violent conflicts over resources.

The water problem is daunting.

With more than 99% of human food coming from the terrestrial environment -One of the biggest competitors for water is agriculture. Some 70 percent of global water use is tied to the industry.

As the supply becomes more erratic with climate change that continues unabated. Food price will spike caused by droughts inflaming latent conflicts and driving migration.

We can no longer avoided the effects of a world water shortage it will have life-threatening and global economic consequences.

It’s almost taken for granted that we will have water, but we can’t do that anymore. Global warming has already begun to show how it can impact the world’s water.

( The picture below depicts the amount of freshwater on the globe.)

Here are a few ideas that might help.

We need major education about the use of water.

We need to get our heads together on how we manage groundwater.

We need to putting a sensible price on water to invite investment and encourage conservation, increasing the availability of information and doubling down on innovation can go a long way toward solving the problem.

We need to install smart meters nation WIDE TO ALLOW a restructure of the price of consuming fresh water.

So that the first few gallons per person per day are cheap or free, with escalating costs beyond that. Water for necessities such as drinking, cooking and hygiene should be affordable.

Beyond that, water for lawns, filling swimming pools, washing cars and other uses should be more expensive.

We need to decide as a society whether green lawns and landscaping, golf courses, swimming pools and unnecessary agriculture (like tobacco and coffee) are worth the use of water.”

While our planet as a whole may never run out of water, it’s important to remember that clean freshwater is not always available where and when humans need it.

By the year 2025, 48 countries will be affected by water stress or scarcity – affecting around 35% of the projected global population in that year. Population growth alone will push an estimated  a further 17 countries, with a projected population of 2.1 billion, into water-short categories within the next 30 years.

Only 64 of the world’s 177 large rivers (1,000km and longer) remain free-flowing, unimpeded by dams or other barriers.

There are more than 45,000 large dams in over 150 countries with about 1,500 more currently under construction.

At the moment 780 million people lack access to clean water and 2.5 billion lack adequate sanitation services; most of these people live in the poorest countries.

The world needs nothing less than a Blue Revolution if not Fresh Water will ultimately affect everyone and everything on this blue planet.

Once we realize that we live in an interdependent world, we will hopefully refrain from making decisions that are short-sighted. Instead, we will look at the long-term gains of peaceful cooperation.

Unfortunately with the Technological Revolution decoupling us from the environment there is little chance of any peaceful cooperation.

There is only on solution – make profit for profit sake pay a World Aid Commission of 0.001%. ( see previous posts)

Saogal fada cugat.

All human comments appreciated all like clicks chucked in the bin.