Water security - water scarcity and sources of water Flashcards
How much freshwater is stored on the earth’s surface?
1%
How many litres of water does it take to produce 1 hamburger?
World economic forum suggests around 2,000 litres per burger.
How many tonnes of water are being polluted with sewage every day?
2 million tonnes.
What is virtual water?
Water that is hidden within products. Water that has been used for its manufacture.
How are issues surrounding water scarcity being resolved?
Higher water prices - deter people from buying resource intensive products. Deter growing Alfalfa in desert.
BUT - increase divide between rich and poor.
How has over-exploitation of aquifers impacted Mexico City.
Sinking 9 inches a yr!
What factors cause groundwater depletion and water scarcity?
Saltwater intrusion,
drought,
ground subsidence, salinisation,
sinking water tables.
Define water scarcity:
When water supply cannot meet demand.
What human factors lead to water scarcity?
Poor infrastructure,
over consumption,
pollution,
overpopulation,
industrialisation,
urbanisation
What physical factors lead to water scarcity?
Droughts,
access to groundwater,
precipitation levels,
El Nino,
climate change (sea rise - saltwater intrusion, change in rainfall patterns…)
What is the difference between physical and economic water scarcity?
physical = natural provisions of water - insufficient.
economic = how much water people can afford to make potable (desalinisation).
Give 1 example area and 1 characteristic of water stress:
annual water supplies - drop below 1,700 m3/person
India
Give 1 example area and 1 characteristic of water scarcity:
annual water supplies - drop below 1,000 m3/person
South africa
Give 1 example area and 1 characteristic of absolute water scarcity:
annual water supplies - drop below 500 m3.person
Saudi Arabia.
What % of water is used in agriculture globally?
69%
Note - spacial variation - places e.g UK don’t need to spend significant amounts of water budget on agri because of rain.
