5.8 consequences and risks of water insecurity Flashcards
8a) causes of water scarcity
- lack of precipitation, either annually or seasonally
- lack money/ means needed to harness amount of blue water in demand
8a) physical scarcity
occurs when 75% of country/ regions blue water flows are being used
currently applies to about 25% of the worlds population
qualifying countries located in Middle East and N. Africa
qualifying regions located in N. China, W. USA and SE Australia
8a) economic scarcity
occurs when use of blue water sources is limited by lack of capital, technology and good governance
1 billion people are estimated to be restricted from water access by high levels of poverty (most people living in Africa and parts of continental south- east Asia)
8a) price of water
access to safe, potable water is regarded as a human right
… c21st, its seen as a commodity for which realistic prices should be paid
in developed world, much of water supply industry, in private companies (people have to pay)
in developing world, supplying safe water in areas of phys. scarcity is difficult, costly and beyond the means of people in poverty.
—— charities such as WaterAid provide help to reduce extent of water scarcity
8b) sectors water supply is important (3)
- agriculture
- industry and energy
- domestic use
8b) water supply for agriculture (and problems)
70% of global freshwater is used for agriculture (irrigation)
((about 3770 kilometres of water are withdrawn each year (TWICE the total for industrial and domestic purposes)))
20% of worlds land is under full irrigation—- 30% comes from dams but majority is pumped directly from aquifers= GROUNDWATER DEPLETION (esp. in China, India and USA)
this disrupts hydrological cycles
8b) water supply for industry and energy (and problems)
20% of all global water withdrawals are for industry and energy
steel, chemicals, paper and petroleum are major consumers of water
major problem of water pollution with industrial use!!
concern about growth of biofuels for production of bio ethanol and diesel, crops are very thirsty
8b) supply for domestic use (and problems)
economic development= rising standards of living= increased per capita consumption of water
safe water is vital to human health particularly in the context of washing and food preparation:
- a single load of laundry requires 30 gallons of water
- 1/4 of water in homes is used for toilets
inadequate water supply will also threaten human health
environmentally it will encourage people to over- exploit what water resources there are.
—- increasing risk of prolonging periods of drought/ first step on downward path to desertification
8c) conflict in Colorado river basin
covers 7 states
40 million people use the Colorado River
supplies 5 million acres of farmland its water
POTENTIAL FOR CONFLICT?
— high demand from numerous stakeholders. wide variety of uses, different groups may feel they have priority over others.
— between up and downstream there are 14 major dams that attempt to manage the removal of water which could be affecting water quantity further down river. conflict may arise over quantities of water.
eg California relies upon the river for 70% of its water
8c) conflict in the GERD (Ethiopia’s dam in Nile basin)
11 countries within Nile Basin - lots of competing users (population total of 1/2 billion)
many lack economic resources due to political instability and poverty to reap full benefits of the Nile (lack of development)
POTENTIAL FOR CONFLICT?
in 2011, Ethiopia announced the building of the GERD, needed for its economic development
disputed because Egypt (former higher power over the river due to British colonialism) relies on bulk of its water needs from the Nile and concerned that supplies could be cut short.
uneven distribution of rainfall, 80% of rain that fills the Nile falls in Ethiopia: from 1995 to 2025 its popn is predicted to more than double to 127 million. thus increasing its demand for water to support this and provide infrastructure etc. this may lead to conflicts.
