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Water stress is considered "set to become a permanent feature of British life."<ref name="historyandpolicy">{{cite web|url=http://www.historyandpolicy.org/papers/policy-paper-75.html|title=Hosepipes, history and a sustainable future|last=Vanessa Taylor and Frank Trentmann|date=July 2008|work=History & Policy|publisher=History & Policy|language=[[English language|English]]|accessdate=9 December 2010|location=[[United Kingdom]]}}</ref> |
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==Water demand== |
==Water demand== |
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Revision as of 11:48, 16 December 2010
Water stress and water scarcity occur when the demand for water exceeds the available amount during a certain period or when poor quality restricts its use. Scarcity can be absolute, such as in environments of low precipitation and large evaportranspiration rates. It can also, however, be induced by economic or political constraints, which do not permit the adequate development of water resources. Critical conditions often arise for economically poor and politically weak communities living in already dry environments.[1] The Unitied Nations' FAO states that by 2025, 1.8 billion people will be living in countries or regions with absolute water scarcity, and two-thirds of the world population could be under stress conditions.[2]
The total amount of available freshwater supply is decreasing because of climate change, which has caused receding glaciers, reduced stream and river flow, and shrinking lakes. Many aquifers have been over-pumped and are not recharging quickly. Although the total fresh water supply is not used up, much has become polluted, salted, unsuitable or otherwise unavailable for drinking, industry and agriculture.
A country or region is said to experience "water stress" when annual water supplies drop below 1,700 cubic meters per person per year, according to the Falkenmark Water Stress Indicator.[3] At levels between 1,700 and 1,000 cubic meters per person per year, periodic or limited water shortages can be expected. When water supplies drop below 1,000 cubic meters per person per year, the country faces "water scarcity."[4]
Water stress is considered "set to become a permanent feature of British life."[5]
Water demand
Water demand already exceeds supply in many parts of the world, which leads to a condition of Peak water being experienced in different geographic areas. As the world population continues to rise, many more areas are expected to experience this imbalance in the near future.
Agriculture represents 70% of freshwater use worldwide.[6]
Agriculture, industrialization and urbanization all serve to increase water consumption.
See also
- Peak water
- Water crisis
- Irrigation in viticulture
- Hot stain
- Water contamination
- Water resources
- Drought rhizogenesis
References
- ^ "Learn More: Water Scarcity". Columbia Water Center. Retrieved 2009-09-11.
- ^ FAO Hot issues: Water scarcity
- ^ Falkenmark and Lindh 1976, quoted in UNEP/WMO. "Climate Change 2001: Working Group II: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability". UNEP. Retrieved 2009-02-03.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Samuel T. L. Larsen. "Lack of Freshwater Throughout the World". Evergreen State College. Retrieved 2009-02-01.
- ^ Vanessa Taylor and Frank Trentmann (July 2008). "Hosepipes, history and a sustainable future". History & Policy (in English). United Kingdom: History & Policy. Retrieved 9 December 2010.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link) - ^ Pimentel, D., B. Berger, D. Filberto, M. Newton, B. Wolfe, E. Karabinakis, S. Clark, E. Poon, E. Abbett, and S. Nandagopal. (2004-10). "Water Resources: Agricultural and Environmental Issues". Bioscience (54): 909–918Water stress
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (Redirected from Water scarcity)
Jump to: navigation, search
Water stress and water scarcity occur when the demand for water exceeds the available amount during a certain period or when poor quality restricts its use. Scarcity can be absolute, such as in environments of low precipitation and large evaportranspiration rates. It can also, however, be induced by economic or political constraints, which do not permit the adequate development of water resources. Critical conditions often arise for economically poor and politically weak communities living in already dry environments.[1] The Unitied Nations' FAO states that by 2025, 1.8 billion people will be living in countries or regions with absolute water scarcity, and two-thirds of the world population could be under stress conditions.[2]
The total amount of available freshwater supply is decreasing because of climate change, which has caused receding glaciers, reduced stream and river flow, and shrinking lakes. Many aquifers have been over-pumped and are not recharging quickly. Although the total fresh water supply is not used up, much has become polluted, salted, unsuWater stress
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (Redirected from Water scarcity)
Jump to: navigation, search
Water stress and water scarcity occur when the demand for water exceeds the available amount during a certain period or when poor quality restricts its use. Scarcity can be absolute, such as in environments of low precipitation and large evaportranspiration rates. It can also, however, be induced by economic or political constraints, which do not permit the adequate development of water resources. Critical conditions often arise for economically poor and politically weak communities living in already dry environments.[1] The Unitied Nations' FAO states that by 2025, 1.8 billion people will be living in countries or regions with absolute water scarcity, and two-thirds of the world population could be under stress conditions.[2]
The total amount of available freshwater supply is decreasing because of climate change, which has caused receding glaciers, reduced stream and river flow, and shrinking lakes. Many aquifers have been over-pumped and are not recharging quickly. Although the total fresh water supply is not used up, much has become polluted, salted, unsuitable or otherwise unavailable for drinking, industry and agriculture.
A country or region is said to experience "water stress" when annual water supplies drop below 1, 700 cubic meters per person per year, according to the Falkenmark Water Stress Indicator.[3] At levels between 1, 700 and 1, 000 cubic meters per person per year, periodic or limited water shortages can be expected. When water supplies drop below 1, 000 cubic meters per person per year, the country faces "water scarcity."[4]
itable or otherwise unavailable for drinking, industry and agriculture.
A country or region is said to experience "water stress" when annual water supplies drop below 1, 700 cubic meters per person per year, according to the Falkenmark Water Stress Indicator.[3] At levels between 1, 700 and 1, 000 cubic meters per person per year, periodic or limited water shortages can be expected. When water supplies drop below 1, 000 cubic meters per person per year, the country faces "water scarcity."[4].
{{cite journal}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); line feed character in|pages=at position 20 (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
External links
- "Beyond scarcity: Power, poverty and the global water crisis". United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). 2006.