5.7c increasing risk of water insecurity in the future

Question 1

increasing population and urbanisation

Answer 1

global population is over 7 billion and growing at a rate of 1.1% annually

World population projected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050

Question 2

improving living standards

Answer 2

incomes and living standards of middle-class people are rising in developing and emerging economies 
causing a sharp increase in water use

building larger homes –> water used to make concrete

increased use of cars, appliances and energy-consuming devices

changing consumption patterns
- increasing meat consumption –> it takes more than 2,400 gallons of water to produce a pound of meat
only 25 gallons of water are required to grow a pound of wheat

Question 3

agriculture

Answer 3

LARGEST USE OF WATER
generally consumes 70% of water
in 2000, 96% of Pakistan’s water was used for agriculture

by 2050, global agriculture will need to produce 60% more food to meet the demands of the growing population

CHINA - over-abstraction of groundwater for agricultural use is causing groundwater levels of decline in the North China Plain and in megacities e.g. Beijing

Question 4

industrialisation

Answer 4

global water demand for manufacturing will increase by 400% from 2000 to 2050

pollution could increase
industrial spillage and poor waste management
contaminated groundwater and rivers

freshwater withdrawals for energy production account for 15% of the world’s total