Water insecurity Flashcards
Why is water insecurity an emerging global issue?
Demand is soaring whilst supply is finite and unevenly distributed
What is the population water equation used for?
It is used to measure physical scarcity
How many people live in countries with water scarcity or stress?
2 billion
How many people live with economic scarcity?
1.6 billion even if there is not physical scarcity
What is the biggest user of water?
Agriculture at 70% of global use
What type of countries have the greatest demand increase for water?
The BRIICS due to their rapid industrialisation
What sector is showing reduced demand for water?
Irrigation due to increased efficiency
What is happening with Israel and Gaza’s shared coastal aquifer?
Salt-water encroachment is contaminating the aquifer due to over abstraction
What processes can make water expensive?
Collection and storage, purification and distribution all requiring infrastructure and energy
What happened in El Alto, Bolivia?
Water supply was privatised in 1997 taken over by Suez but the cost prohibited access for the poor (25%)
What did economic scarcity lead to in El Alto?
Social exclusion and a public health crisis
What happened in El Alto in 2005?
Protests forced deprivatisation
What type of correlation exists between water scarcity and national wealth?
A positive correlation because economic growth improves security and security improves economic growth (A virtuous circle)
Why is water collection a poverty trap?
As adults miss out on employment and children miss out on education whilst they are collecting water creating a vicious circle especially for women and girls
How many people still don’t have safe toilets at home?
4 billion
