![]() ![]() However, the issue again comes down to redistribution. There is enough water on the planet to meet the needs of more than 7 billion people. ![]() But have you heard that there’s enough water for everyone in the world too? You’ve probably heard before that there’s enough food in the world to feed every hungry individual. There have been many social and economic awakenings in the past, and there’s no reason why another awakening can’t happen with water. The shift from oil to renewable energies is taking place, and it’s time for this movement to encompass water. Wars have already been fought over oil in the past and conflict over this scare (and, at this point, dangerous resource) continues in places like the Niger Delta and the South China Sea.Ī shift in mentality around the value of water needs to happen to avoid future conflict. The world’s global economy has started to come to terms with the fact that commodities such as oil are not infinite. There is more freshwater available but it’s either been polluted by human activity or is trapped in glacial form (though not for long with the increasing effects of climate change.) This is not a large amount and so it must be protected and carefully managed starting now. However, today only 2.5 percent of the planet’s water supply flows cleanly. This would be unsettling for many people, but it would better reflect how precious water is and would put costs on the wealthiest.ĭeveloped regions of the world were lucky to build water and sanitation infrastructure early on compared to developing regions, affording some countries the opportunity to consider clean water an endless source. One solution would be to increase the prices. It can be easy to run the tap while brushing your teeth when the cost of water is so low for some. In other regions such as Papua New Guinea, some of the world’s poor spend $2.60 USD for just 13 gallons (the minimum for human health requirements.) In New York, water costs $3.39 USD for 748 gallons. Right now, water costs in some regions cost such a small fraction of what it’s actually worth when you factor in how finite it is. But it should be priced relative to the ability to afford. So, what can be done about this frightening imbalance between the need for water and the drying up of the world’s wells?įortunately, Solomon and others have some solutions.įirst, water should cost more to reflect its true economic cost. Many of these correlate with conflict regions or areas of high tension, such as the border between India and China, or Bhutan where the Ganges-Brahmaputra Basin is currently mapped as “severely overstressed.” NASA recently came out with a mapped study revealing that 21 of the world’s major 37 water sources are distressed, largely because of climate change or overuse from human consumption. The problem is that this “growing movement” comes into conflict with the diminishing supply of water around the world. Damn right it is! Humans can’t survive and certainly cannot thrive without access to water. Solomon goes on to say that there is a “growing movement” for water to be recognized as a human right. Suddenly, we’re going to have to find to use the existing water uses in a far more productive manner,” Steven Solomon told NPR. “In the 20th century world water use has grown twice as fast as world population. ![]() The connection here is there’s a card in the game that asks players to complete this sentence, “I do not know with what weapons WWIII will be fought with, but WWIV will be fought with _.” Well, I have no answers on the weapons part, but some are saying (and offering solutions to avert) that WWIII will be fought over water. Have you ever played Cards Against Humanity? If you have, you’re a bad global citizen.just kidding (no such thing and you’re awesome for having a sense of humor, in my opinion). WWIII is going to be fought over the scarcity of water if things don’t change soon, according to several authors, news articles, and a new study from NASA.
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