Enquiry Question 3: How does water insecurity and why is it becoming such a global issue for the 21st century?

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  • Created by: ivac2000
  • Created on: 22-01-18 18:12

Physical and human causes of water insecurity

  • there is growing mismatch between water supply and demand - due to growing population (freshwater a finite resource)
  • led to global pattern of water stress - deterioration of water quantity and quality
  • water stress - below 1700 m3 of water per person
  • water scarcity - freshwater shortages threaten food production and ecosystem wellbeing, <1000 m3 water per person
  • physical causes of water insecurity:
    • climate variability
    • salt water encroachment
  • Human causes exacerbates
    • overabstraction from rivers, lakes, groundwater
    • water contamination from agriculture  - fertlisers and pesticides can wash into lakes and river = pollution
    • industrial water pollution - chemicals added in industry
  • finite water sources face pressure from rising demands - increased population, improved standards of living, industrialisation and agriculture
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Consequences and risks of water insecurity

  • the price of water varies according to wealth
  • cleaning water is expensive - water matches production costs
  • supply and demand
  • water supply is vital for economic development - needed for activities in industry, agriculutre
  • human welfare
  • lack of water = detrimental impacts on the economy and environment
  • water insecurity problems cause conflicts
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Managing water supplu sustainablity

  • hard engineering schemes - including water transfers, desalinisation and mega dams
    • expensive and unsustainable
  • water conservation
    • rainwater catchment
    • small scale
    • sustainable
    • cheap
    • some people are against using grey water
  • integrated management - involves international treaties
    • difficult to run
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