2023-10-18 06:10:17
On Earth, people speak more than seven thousand different languages. And water, which we are going to talk about today, is pronounced differently in these seven thousand languages, with seven thousand different melodies and different alphabets. In any language, water is always considered a sacred thing, as is the mother. Since his advent, Humans have created many works on water, songs, writings. History has therefore left many legends, as well as unforgettable stories. Water is part of human history with its beauty, its holiness, and unfortunately with its sadness too. And this story continues… Every year we move closer to the global climate problem.
The mystery of water
Water is the simplest and most familiar substance on the planet. But at the same time, water holds many mysteries. Scientists continue to study it and find more and more interesting data about water. Without eating, but drinking, a man can survive about 40 days. Without eating or drinking, he dies in 3 days. We know the importance of water, but we don’t realize it yet. Humans continue to not respect water enough. As the ecological avant-garde says, through Pierre Rabhi, in France: “For trees and plants to flourish, for the animals that feed on them to prosper, for men to live, it is necessary may the earth be honored. »
Figures that tear the world apart heart
We can talk the numbers, but when it comes to water, it’s heartbreaking. It is so present on the planet, and at the same time so rare: water covers 71% of the Earth’s surface, 97% salty and 3% fresh. Of these 3%, 2% are difficult to access for humans. This therefore only uses 1% of the fresh water on Earth.
Every year, humans consume 1% more water. Industries use 20% of fresh water for all their activities. Domestic consumption comprises only 10% of global freshwater use, but it is very unevenly distributed. For example, in the USA, we use 300 liters of water per day per inhabitant, in Europe 100 to 200 liters per day per inhabitant. In Switzerland, a person consumes on average 142 liters per day in the domestic sector.
On the other hand, on the African continent, water is even more unequally distributed: 14 countries are threatened with a serious shortage; 80% of people deprived of access to a source of drinking water live in Africa; one in two Africans is forced to travel around ten kilometers every day to fetch the water they need. In 2025, with 750 million inhabitants, Africa’s urban population will exceed the total population of Europe.
195 countries, each with a different relationship to water
The UN had recognized 195 independent countries and for each country, there is its different destiny in relation to water. There are good things and there are bad things. Compared to other regions of the world, Latin America, for example, does not lack water: on the contrary, it is one of the richest. But the region is colossally behind in terms of wastewater treatment.
Water knows no boundaries. International cooperation is therefore necessary. Water is an instrument of peace, it must never become an instrument of war. There are 263 transboundary river basins worldwide, around two-thirds of which do not have a common management program. International waters require international standards. Around 80 countries, or 40% of the population, suffer from water shortages.
15,000 people, including 6,000 children, die every day from diseases linked to a lack of drinking water. At the same time, 1.3 billion people around the world do not have access to drinking water, almost a fifth of the world’s population, and 500,000 million could suffer the same fate in the near future. More than a third are on African soil.
The primary cause of this water shortage threat is climate change, caused by human interference. The growth of the world population and therefore demand is also a cause.
What to do to get more water?
All countries in the world should invest in new water technologies. They should raise awareness among their populations about economical water management. Social responsibility of companies consuming large amounts of water and implementing the principles of sustainable development policy is also necessary.
We must react and start fighting today, because the future belongs to those who respect water.
From the same author :
Desalpe: the mysterious sound of cow bells
The blood of women
Sources : cieau.com
Photo credits : Chinnapong via istockphoto.com
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#Earth #water #humans #increasingly #thirsty