Water Insecurity

Question 1

Physical causes of water insecurity

Answer 1

Tropical areas experience reoccurring drought

Low latitude areas have less snow meltwater

Little precipitation dries up aquifers (Ogallala)

Areas with impermeable rock have less aquifers

Question 2

Human causes of water insecurity

Answer 2

Increasing population and wealth (More manufacturing and luxuries)

Emerging middle class e.g. in China (Demand for cars, appliances etc…)

Water demand for manufacturing expected to increase by 400% by 2050

Question 3

Why is USA likely to face water insecurity?

Answer 3

Aquifer exhaustion (Ogallala)

95% Californian homes rely on groundwater from aquifers

Rapidly growing population

Climate change increasing drought events

Question 4

Why is China likely to face water insecurity?

Answer 4

Over-consumption so huge demand for manufacturing

Rapidly growing population

Climate change increasing drought (Yangtze river basin drying up)