Journey 2050: Water

Summary

The Earth's water, 75% of its surface, is predominantly saltwater; only 2.5% is fresh, with just 0.3% accessible for human use. This limited resource is crucial for drinking, hygiene, agriculture, and manufacturing. As the global population increases, so does the demand for water, with 2.5 billion people already facing water scarcity. By 2050, this could affect over half the world's population. Innovative agricultural practices, such as drip irrigation and pivot irrigation, along with technological advancements in water management, are helping to conserve water and increase crop yields. Conservation tillage and preserving wetlands also play a vital role in maintaining water quality and ensuring a sustainable food supply.

Takeaways

• 🌍 Earth's water composition: 75% of the Earth's surface is covered by water, but only 2.5% is fresh water.
• 💧 Fresh water accessibility: Only 0.3% of the Earth's fresh water is accessible for human use.
• 🚿 Essential for life: Water is crucial for drinking, sanitation, and various aspects of our daily lives.
• 🌱 Agricultural dependency: Approximately three-quarters of the world's fresh water is used for agriculture.
• 🌾 Water-intensive products: It takes a significant amount of water to produce everyday items like bread and jeans.
• 🌦️ Climate change impact: Climate change leads to more unpredictable weather patterns, affecting water availability for agriculture.
• 💡 Technological advancements: Technology helps farmers manage water more efficiently through soil moisture monitoring and irrigation control.
• 🌱 Conservation practices: Farmers use methods like drip irrigation and conservation tillage to conserve water and improve soil health.
• 🌿 Environmental preservation: Preserving wetlands and riparian areas helps maintain water quality and supports biodiversity.
• 🌱 Innovative agriculture: Scientists are developing new crop varieties that are more resilient to climate changes, ensuring food security.

Q & A

What percentage of Earth's surface is covered by water?

Nearly 75 percent of Earth's surface is covered by water.

How much of Earth's water is considered fresh water?

Only 2.5 percent of Earth's water is fresh water.

What is the percentage of fresh water that is accessible for human use?

Only 0.3 percent of fresh water is accessible for human use.

Why is water essential for human life?

Water is essential not just for drinking and keeping clean but also for manufacturing and agriculture, which are vital for producing goods and growing food.

How many people currently live in regions with an uncertain supply of fresh water?

Today, about 2.5 billion people live in regions with an uncertain supply of fresh water.

What is the projected percentage of the world's population that may face water stress by 2050?

By 2050, more than half of the world's predicted population may face water stress due to economic and population growth.

How much water is required to grow enough wheat for a single loaf of bread?

It takes 435 liters of water to grow enough wheat for just one loaf of bread.

What is the role of technology in helping farmers manage water more efficiently?

Technology helps farmers manage water by providing information on soil moisture, live weather updates, and enabling remote control of irrigation systems to use water more efficiently.

How does drip irrigation help in water conservation?

Drip irrigation delivers water close to plant roots drop by drop, minimizing water losses from evaporation and increasing yields by as much as 100 percent compared to plants only receiving rainwater.

What is conservation tillage and how does it help with water management?

Conservation tillage involves covering at least 30 percent of the soil's surface with crop residues, which helps slow water movement, reduce erosion, and improve soil health, allowing it to hold more moisture and grow better crops.

Why are wetlands and riparian areas important for water quality?

Wetlands and riparian areas help filter nutrients, control water during floods, and provide habitat for animals, contributing to improved water quality and ecosystem health.

Outlines

00:00

💧 The Importance and Scarcity of Fresh Water

The script begins by emphasizing the vastness of water on Earth, covering 75% of its surface, yet only 2.5% of it is fresh water, with a mere 0.3% being accessible for human use. It underscores the critical role of water in daily life, including drinking, hygiene, and agriculture, and warns of the increasing pressure on this limited resource due to population growth. The script highlights the challenge faced by 2.5 billion people living in regions with uncertain water supplies and projects that by 2050, water stress could affect over half of the world's population if no action is taken. The necessity of conserving and protecting water resources is stressed.

Keywords

💡Fresh Water

Fresh water refers to water that is not salty and is safe for human consumption. In the context of the video, fresh water is a critical resource that makes up only 2.5 percent of Earth's water, highlighting its scarcity and importance. The script emphasizes that only a fraction of this fresh water, about 0.3 percent, is accessible for human use, which underscores the need for conservation.

💡Water Stress

Water stress is a condition where the demand for fresh water exceeds the supply, leading to difficulties in accessing sufficient water resources. The video script mentions that by 2050, more than half of the world's predicted population will face water stress due to economic and population growth, indicating a growing global challenge that requires attention and solutions.

💡Agriculture

Agriculture is the practice of cultivating plants and livestock for food, fiber, and other products. The script points out that nearly three-quarters of the world's fresh water is used in agriculture, emphasizing its significant role in water consumption. It also illustrates how water is essential for growing crops and producing food, which directly impacts food security.

💡Irrigation

Irrigation is the artificial application of water to land or soil to assist in the growth of crops. The video discusses various irrigation techniques, such as drip irrigation and pivot irrigation, which are designed to deliver water more efficiently to crops. These methods are crucial for conserving water and increasing agricultural yields, especially in regions with unpredictable rainfall.

💡Climate Change

Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. The script mentions that climate change is causing weather to become more extreme and unpredictable, leading to drier conditions in some areas and wetter in others. This variability affects water availability for agriculture, posing risks to crop production and food supply.

💡Water Conservation

Water conservation involves the responsible use of water resources to reduce waste and preserve supplies. The video encourages water conservation as a critical measure to address the challenges of limited fresh water supplies. Examples include using technology to monitor soil moisture and adjust irrigation systems, which can help farmers use water more efficiently.

💡Best Management Practices

Best Management Practices (BMPs) are strategies or techniques used to reduce pollution and manage resources in an environmentally friendly way. The script highlights BMPs in agriculture, such as conservation tillage and preserving wetlands, which help maintain soil health, reduce erosion, and improve water quality, thereby promoting sustainable water use.

💡Soil Moisture

Soil moisture is the amount of water contained in the soil, which is vital for plant growth. The video script discusses the use of technology to monitor soil moisture content, allowing farmers to make informed decisions about irrigation. Proper soil moisture management is essential for efficient water use and crop productivity.

💡Erosion

Erosion is the process of wearing away rocks and soil, often caused by natural forces like wind and water. The video mentions that conservation tillage helps reduce the risk of erosion by covering the soil with crop residues, which also improves soil health. This practice is important for maintaining water quality and preserving agricultural land.

💡Wetlands

Wetlands are areas where water covers the soil, or is present near the surface of the soil, for at least part of the year. The script describes wetlands and riparian areas as important for filtering nutrients, controlling water during floods, and providing habitats for wildlife. Preserving these ecosystems is crucial for maintaining water quality and biodiversity.

💡Drip Irrigation

Drip irrigation is a method of irrigation that delivers water directly to the roots of plants through a network of pipes and emitters. The video script uses Kenya as an example where farmers use drip irrigation to minimize water loss from evaporation and increase crop yields. This technique is an effective way to conserve water in areas with unpredictable rainfall.

Highlights

Earth's surface is 75% water, but only 2.5% is fresh water accessible for human use.

Only 0.3% of Earth's fresh water is readily accessible for human consumption and use.

Water is essential for drinking, hygiene, and various aspects of life including agriculture and manufacturing.

Approximately 2.5 billion people live in regions with uncertain fresh water supply.

By 2050, more than half of the world's population may face water stress due to economic and population growth.

Agriculture accounts for nearly three-quarters of the world's fresh water use.

It takes 435 liters of water to produce one loaf of bread and 11,000 liters for a pair of blue jeans.

Climate change leads to more extreme and unpredictable weather patterns affecting water availability.

Farmers use technology and best management practices to ensure crops have the right amount of water.

In Kenya, farmers collect and store rainwater for reuse and utilize drip irrigation to minimize water loss.

Pivot irrigation in countries like Canada and the United States helps apply water at specific times efficiently.

Farmers can use their phones for soil moisture content information, live weather updates, and irrigation control.

Conservation tillage helps slow water movement, reduce erosion, and improve soil health.

Preserving wetlands and riparian areas improves water quality and provides habitats for animals.

Scientists are developing new seed varieties that are more resistant to climate change for sustainable agriculture.

Sharing best practices and tools is crucial for efficient water use and conservation.

It's important to conserve and protect our precious water supplies every day of the year.

Transcripts

[Music]

imagine the Earth

all that blue that you see is water and

it makes up nearly 75 percent of the

Earth's surface however we can only use

a tiny fraction of it

only 2.5 percent of Earth's water is

fresh water found in glaciers and polar

ice caps groundwater surface waters such

as lakes ponds and rivers and in the

atmosphere and only 0.3 percent of that

is accessible for us to use

water is essential not just for drinking

and keeping clean but through our lives

for example to make cars that get us to

school and to grow the food that we eat

we can't live without water and as our

population grows there is even more

pressure on our limited supplies

today about 2.5 billion people live in

regions with an uncertain supply of

fresh water

by 2050 with economic and population

growth in those areas more than half the

world's predicted population will face

water stress if nothing is done

water is essential and needs to be

conserved and protected

water is an essential part of

agriculture

in fact nearly three quarters of the

world's fresh water is used in

agriculture to produce the food fiber

and products that we need to live

for example it takes 435 liters of water

to grow enough wheat to make just one

loaf of bread

and about 11 000 liters to make a pair

of blue jeans as our climate changes the

weather is becoming more extreme and

unpredictable in some parts of the world

the climate is becoming drier and in

others it is becoming wetter

but the unpredictable availability of

water is making it harder for Farmers to

grow crops which puts our food supply at

risk

through advances in technology and

improved best management practices

Farmers try and ensure that crops have

the right amount of water while

maintaining water quality it's about

using the right amounts at the times

when crops need water moats too little

and seeds can dry up and too much the

water is wasted as runoff for example in

countries like Kenya where rainfall can

be unpredictable Farmers collect and

store rain water to reuse when it's

needed most

they also utilize drip irrigation where

water is delivered close to plant roots

through a pipe drop by drop minimizing

water losses from evaporation and

increasing yields by as much as 100

percent compared to plants only

receiving rainwater in countries like

Canada and the United States pivot

irrigation is a great way to apply water

at specific times of the day and

Technology plays a key role in water

management farmers can use their phones

to gain information on the soil moisture

content of their crops get live weather

updates and calculate how much water is

needed for the day

remotely turning their irrigation

systems on and off to use water more

efficiently while increasing crop yields

another great best management practice

is conservation tillage which involves

covering at least 30 percent of the

soil's surface with crop residues left

after planting this helps slow water

movement reducing the risk of erosion

it also provides more organic matter

which helps improve soil health

if the soil's health is improved it will

hold more moisture and grow better crops

landowners can also improve water

quality by preserving wetlands and

riparian areas which are spaces between

land and the Waterway ideally filled

with native grass bushes and trees

these areas have many benefits such as

helping filter nutrients that are

collected as the water runs over the

land helping control water during floods

and providing habitat for animals

through Innovations such as new seed

varieties scientists are developing

crops that are more resistant to change

in climates so we can grow crops even

when the growing conditions are not

ideal

sharing best practices and providing

everyone with the tools they need to use

water more efficiently

it is important that every single day of

the year we all take the time and make

the effort to conserve and protect our

precious Water Supplies