Fresh water scarcity: An introduction to the problem - Christiana Z. Peppard

TED-Ed

14 Feb 201303:39

Summary

TLDRThe script addresses the global fresh water crisis, highlighting that while domestic use accounts for only 8% of consumption, the majority is utilized by agriculture and industry. It emphasizes the importance of fresh water for the flourishing of all life on Earth and challenges the viewer to consider water beyond personal use, questioning its value as a commodity, a human right, or a public good. The script calls for a collective effort to value and manage water as a vital resource for current and future generations.

Takeaways

💧 Fresh water is a critical resource, essential to life, and its scarcity is a global issue.
🚿 Many people, particularly women and girls, spend hours walking to obtain fresh water, which may not always be clean.
🌎 The global impact of water scarcity extends beyond individual actions, affecting both human and non-human life on Earth.
⏰ Every 15 seconds, a child dies due to water-borne diseases, highlighting the urgency of addressing water scarcity.
🏠 Domestic water use accounts for only 8% of global fresh water consumption, with agriculture using 70% and industry 22%.
🌱 Individual water conservation efforts, like taking shorter showers, are important but do not significantly impact global water scarcity.
🌾 Agricultural and industrial water use patterns require serious attention and reform to address global water issues.
💭 The value of water is multifaceted, being considered an economic commodity, a human right, and a public good.
🏆 Nobel laureates, activists, and international organizations are working towards global water justice and sustainability.
💰 The business of water has become profitable, complicating the goal of valuing it as a public good for the common good.

Q & A

Why is fresh water considered essential to life?
-Fresh water is essential to life because it is vital for the survival and flourishing of both human and non-human life on Earth.
What is the significance of the fact that some people, particularly women and girls, walk for hours to get fresh water?
-This fact highlights the disparity in access to fresh water and underscores the importance of addressing global water scarcity as a matter of social and environmental justice.
How often does a child die due to water-borne diseases, according to the script?
-A child dies every 15 seconds due to water-borne diseases, indicating the severity of the global water crisis.
What percentage of global fresh water consumption is attributed to domestic use?
-Domestic use accounts for only 8% of global fresh water consumption, suggesting that the issue of water scarcity is more complex than individual water usage habits.
What are the two major sectors that consume the majority of fresh water globally?
-Agriculture and industry are the two major sectors, accounting for 70% and 22% of global fresh water consumption, respectively.
Why is it not sufficient to solve global water scarcity by just improving individual habits?
-Improving individual habits is part of the solution, but global water scarcity is deeply rooted in larger systemic issues such as agricultural and industrial water use patterns, which require broader attention and reform.
What does the script suggest about the value of fresh water in our societies?
-The script suggests that fresh water should be valued as a public good, essential for the flourishing of life, rather than just as an economic commodity.
Who are some of the entities working on the issue of fresh water scarcity according to the script?
-Nobel prize winners, global water justice activists, transnational institutions like the United Nations, and even the Catholic Church are among those working on the issue of fresh water scarcity.
Why is the business of water considered 'tricky' in the context of the script?
-The business of water is considered 'tricky' because it has become very profitable, which can conflict with the goal of treating water as a public good and the common good, rather than a commodity for profit.
What is the collective task mentioned in the script that goes beyond individual actions like taking shorter showers?
-The collective task mentioned is to figure out how to value fresh water as a public good, which is essential for human and non-human life now and in the future, and to address the larger systemic issues related to water use in agriculture and industry.
How does the script challenge the assumption that water shortages are solely due to individual wastefulness?
-The script challenges this assumption by presenting data showing that domestic use is a small percentage of global water consumption, indicating that water shortages are more related to large-scale agricultural and industrial practices.

Outlines

00:00

💧 Fresh Water Scarcity and Its Global Impact

The paragraph highlights the critical issue of fresh water scarcity, which may seem distant to those with easy access to water but is a harsh reality for many, particularly women and girls who must walk long distances for clean water. It emphasizes that fresh water is essential for life and is a global common good, affecting both human and non-human life on Earth. The paragraph points out the stark statistic that a child dies every 15 seconds due to water-borne diseases, underscoring the tragedy and the need for collective action. It challenges the common assumption that individual wastefulness is the sole cause of water shortages, revealing that domestic water use is only 8% of the total consumption, with agriculture and industry being the larger consumers. The paragraph calls for a reevaluation of how societies value, distribute, and subsidize water, questioning whether it should be seen as an economic commodity, a human right, or a public good. It concludes by suggesting that addressing the global water crisis requires a collective effort that extends beyond individual actions, such as taking shorter showers.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Fresh water

Fresh water is defined as water that is free from salt and impurities, making it suitable for drinking and supporting aquatic life. In the video's context, fresh water is essential to life, and its scarcity is a pressing global issue. The script emphasizes that fresh water is not just a local resource but a global common good, highlighting the need for collective action to ensure its availability for current and future generations.

💡Global common good

The term 'global common good' refers to resources or conditions that are beneficial to all of humanity and the planet. In the video, fresh water is described as a global common good, signifying its importance for the flourishing of both human and non-human life on Earth. The script challenges viewers to think beyond personal water use and consider the broader implications of how societies value, distribute, and manage this vital resource.

💡Water scarcity

Water scarcity refers to a situation where the demand for fresh water exceeds the available supply, often due to factors like population growth, climate change, and pollution. The video script points out that water scarcity is a global issue, affecting not just individual households but also agriculture and industry. It emphasizes that addressing water scarcity requires more than just personal conservation efforts; it necessitates a reevaluation of societal patterns and policies.

💡Water-borne diseases

Water-borne diseases are illnesses caused by the consumption of contaminated water or contact with contaminated water sources. The script mentions that every 15 seconds, a child dies due to water-borne diseases, illustrating the tragic consequences of inadequate access to clean water. This highlights the urgent need for improved water quality and sanitation, particularly in developing regions.

💡Domestic water use

Domestic water use encompasses the consumption of water in households for activities such as drinking, cooking, and cleaning. The video script reveals that domestic use accounts for only 8% of global fresh water consumption, which challenges the common assumption that personal water conservation is the primary solution to water scarcity. This statistic underscores the need to look beyond individual habits and consider the larger systemic issues in agriculture and industry.

💡Agriculture

Agriculture is the practice of cultivating plants and animals for food, fiber, and other products. In the context of the video, agriculture is noted as the largest consumer of fresh water, using up 70% of global water resources. This highlights the importance of sustainable agricultural practices and the need for innovative solutions to reduce water consumption in this sector.

💡Industrial use

Industrial use refers to the consumption of water in manufacturing processes and other industrial activities. The video script points out that industry accounts for 22% of global fresh water consumption, indicating that industrial practices also play a significant role in water scarcity. This suggests that efforts to conserve water and improve efficiency should not be limited to domestic use but should also target industrial processes.

💡Water virtue

Water virtue, as mentioned in the video, refers to the responsible and ethical use of water resources. The script encourages individuals to cultivate water virtue in their daily lives by practicing conservation, such as turning off the tap while brushing teeth. While individual actions are part of the solution, the video emphasizes that addressing global water scarcity requires broader systemic changes.

💡Economic commodity

An economic commodity is a good or service that is produced for exchange in the marketplace. The video script questions whether fresh water should be treated as an economic commodity, suggesting that this approach may not align with the common good. It raises the issue of how societies value and distribute water, and whether it should be considered a basic human right or a public good.

💡Public good

A public good is a resource or service that is available to all members of a society, regardless of their ability to pay. The video argues for valuing fresh water as a public good, emphasizing its vital importance for the survival and well-being of all living beings. This perspective calls for collective action and policy changes to ensure that water is managed and distributed in a way that benefits everyone.

💡Collective task

A collective task refers to a responsibility or goal that requires the coordinated efforts of a group or society. The video script describes addressing fresh water scarcity as a virtuous collective task, implying that it goes beyond individual actions and requires collective efforts to change societal patterns, policies, and values regarding water use and management.

Highlights

Global fresh water scarcity is a pressing issue that affects both human and non-human life.

Many people assume water shortages are due to individual wastefulness, such as long showers, but this is only a small part of the problem.

Globally, domestic use of fresh water accounts for only 8% of consumption, while 70% goes to agriculture and 22% to industrial uses.

Individual actions, like turning off the tap while brushing your teeth, are still important but not enough to solve the global water crisis.

Fresh water shortages have deeper roots in societal and industrial patterns, including how we value, distribute, and subsidize water.

The real solution to water scarcity involves collective action on a larger scale, especially in agriculture and industry.

The value of fresh water needs to be reconsidered – is it a commodity, a human right, or a public good?

There is significant debate about how to value fresh water, with input from Nobel prize winners, global water justice activists, and international organizations.

The business of water became highly profitable in the 20th century, leading to challenges in balancing profit and the common good.

Fresh water is essential for life, and how we think about and manage it today will impact the future of both human and non-human life on Earth.

The concept of the global common good highlights the need to think of fresh water in terms of broader societal and environmental impact.

Addressing fresh water scarcity requires serious attention to how societies incentivize water consumption and pollution.

The Catholic Church and other major transnational institutions like the United Nations are actively working on water justice issues.

While personal habits can help, they are not sufficient on their own to address the global water crisis.

Collective, systemic changes in agriculture, industry, and water management are necessary to ensure fresh water sustainability for future generations.