Over the last 3,200 years, the number of people on Earth has increased seven times but the amount of water we use has increased 35 times. It is estimated that one third of the world’s population is affected by water shortages.
We also face the challenge of climate change. Climate change affects temperature, rainfall and the intensity of weather events. By 2040 it is projected that rainfall in the eastern and northern parts of New Zealand (where the majority of New Zealand’s population lives) will decrease by more than 5%. Temperature increases and more frequent extreme weather events will affect water quality, with town supply water requiring more treatment before it can be used by households.
External links
The New Zealand Climate Change Solutions website has more information about the science of, and New Zealand’s solution to climate change.
For articles on global water issues check out the following links:
- Global Water Shortage Pt.1 / BBC World News America
A billion people don't have access to sufficient water and with water use growing at twice the rate of the population, water will surpass oil as the most desired and needed liquid. BBC correspondents investigate water issues in Kenya, Mexico, Australia and the West Bank.
- Global water problem: one in three face water scarcity/mongabay.com
This article is based on a report by the International Water Management Institute’s (IWMI). “While a third of the world population faces water scarcity, it is not because there is not enough water to go round, but because of choices people make.”
- A Fight to the Last Drop
On the brink of the new millennium, the world has no more fresh water than it did 2,000 years ago, when the population was less than 3% of its present size. That finite resource is in fact becoming smaller, as fresh water is increasingly unusable because of pollution. Thirty one countries, most of them in Africa and the Middle East, are now suffering water stress or scarcity.
- Water Footprint
This website includes a water footprint calculator, information on the water footprints of different nations and shows how much water needed to produce a range of different foodstuffs.
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