EQ3

Question 1

What are the causes of pressure on finite freshwater resources?

Answer 1

Farming, increased population, economic development and better living standards.

Question 2

How does increasing population create pressures on freshwater resources?

Answer 2

Global population continue to increase, albeit at a slower rate. Water is an essential resource for everyone. The UN estimates that there will be a 55% increase in demand between 2015 and 2050.

Question 3

How does farming create pressure on freshwater resources?

Answer 3

Farming uses the most water (70% globally). As demand for food increases, so does use of water for irrigation (often inefficient) and livestock farming.

Question 4

How does economic development create pressures on finite freshwater resources?

Answer 4

World GDP increased by an average of 3.5% per year from 1960 to 2012; more water used by industries, businesses and energy use.

Question 5

How do better living standards create pressures on freshwater resources?

Answer 5

As more countries have emerged economically, their populations have gained more wealth, so they consume more water directly (for example, washing machines) and indirectly (for example, food choices, house building, energy use).

Question 6

What are the physical causes of water insecurity?

Answer 6

Climate variability and salt water encroachment.

Question 7

What are the human causes of water insecurity?

Answer 7

Over-abstraction from surface and groundwater, contamination by farming and industries and climate change.