A - Water Scarcity Flashcards
What are the two types of water scarcity?
Physical and economic water scarcity.
When does physical water scarcity occur?
When water consumption exceeds 60% of the usable supply.
How do some countries address physical water scarcity?
Importing food and investing in desalinization, e.g., Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.
What is absolute drought?
15+ consecutive days with less than 0.2mm of rainfall.
Define partial drought.
29+ days with daily average rainfall not exceeding 0.2mm.
List one impact of drought.
Reduced crop yields, increased animal mortality, or dehydration-related illnesses.
How is freshwater distributed globally in relation to population?
Three-quarters of rainfall occurs in areas with less than a third of the world’s population.
What percentage of the world’s population lives in low-rainfall areas?
Two-thirds of the world’s population.
When does economic water scarcity occur?
When a country has water but needs infrastructure to access it.
Give an example of a project addressing economic water scarcity.
Large water-development projects in sub-Saharan countries.
What traditional water sources are being exhausted in LICs?
Wells and seasonal rivers.
What is drought?
An extended period of dry weather leading to extreme dryness.
Define absolute drought.
15+ consecutive days with less than 0.2mm of rainfall.
What is partial drought?
29+ days with daily average rainfall not exceeding 0.2mm.
What are two impacts of drought on agriculture?
Reduced crop yields and increased animal mortality.
List one impact of drought on human activities.
Hosepipe bans or bans on watering private gardens.
How is freshwater distributed in relation to population?
Three-quarters of rainfall in areas with less than a third of population.
Where does two-thirds of the world’s population live in terms of rainfall?
In areas receiving only a quarter of annual rainfall.
What does water quality impact in developing countries?
Access to safe and affordable water and sanitation.
What does WHO estimate regarding water-related deaths?
Around 4 million deaths per year.
List one water-related disease.
Cholera, hepatitis, malaria.
What are three factors affecting water quality?
Sewage, farming chemicals, and industrial pollutants.
What factors affect access to safe drinking water?
Water availability, infrastructure, and cost.
