WATER our most precious resource

Summary

Water is a precious yet limited resource, with only 2.5% of Earth's water being fresh, and just 0.5% available for use. Pollution, growing demand, and climate change are worsening water scarcity worldwide. Agriculture, industry, and population growth significantly contribute to water consumption. However, innovative solutions like micro-drip irrigation, industrial water recycling, and desalination offer hope for sustainable water use. The water industry is poised for growth, with technologies focused on efficient water use and pollution reduction playing a key role in addressing the global water challenge. Investments in these solutions can provide both environmental and economic benefits.

Takeaways

• 😀 97.5% of the Earth's water is salty, and only 2.5% is fresh water, with most of it locked in polar ice caps and glaciers.
• 😀 Only 0.5% of Earth's fresh water is available in lakes, rivers, and groundwater for use.
• 😀 Pollution threatens water quality, and only 0.007% of the world's total water supply is safe for consumption.
• 😀 Over 1.2 billion people live in areas experiencing water scarcity, including regions like India, North Africa, and northern China.
• 😀 Global water demand is growing as population increases and more people move to urban areas, putting pressure on available resources.
• 😀 Water consumption has increased six-fold over the last 100 years, while the total water supply has remained the same.
• 😀 A growing middle class in emerging markets contributes to higher water consumption, especially due to changing diets, with more meat consumption.
• 😀 It takes significantly more water to produce meat compared to plant-based foods, e.g., 15,500 liters for 1 kg of beef versus 1,300 liters for 1 kg of wheat.
• 😀 By 2030, global water demand is expected to exceed supply by 40%, creating major challenges in resource management.
• 😀 Innovative solutions like micro-drip irrigation, industrial water recycling, and advanced metering systems are helping reduce water use and increase efficiency.
• 😀 Desalination is becoming an important solution for water-scarce coastal regions, with countries like Saudi Arabia and Singapore expanding their desalination capacity.
• 😀 The water industry is projected to grow from $500 billion today to $1 trillion by 2020, offering opportunities for investment in sustainable water management.

Q & A

What percentage of Earth's water is salty and what percentage is fresh?

97.5% of Earth's water is salty, while only 2.5% is fresh water.

Where is most of the world's fresh water located?

Over two-thirds of the world's fresh water is locked in polar ice caps and glaciers.

What percentage of the Earth's total water is safe for human consumption?

Only 0.007% of the world's total water supply is safe for consumption.

How is water distributed globally and what challenges does this create?

Water is not distributed evenly across the globe. For instance, 1.2 billion people live in areas of water scarcity, such as parts of the United States, India, Spain, and North Africa.

What factors have led to an increase in global water consumption?

A growing middle class in emerging markets, changing eating habits, and increased meat consumption are key factors driving the increase in water consumption.

How much water is required to produce one kilogram of different foods?

It takes 1,300 liters of water to produce one kilo of wheat, 3,400 liters for rice, and 15,500 liters for beef.

What is expected to happen to global water demand by 2030?

By 2030, global water demand is expected to exceed the available water supply by 40%.

What technological solutions are helping to reduce water usage in agriculture?

Micro drip irrigation technologies can reduce water usage by up to 70-80% in agriculture.

How does industrial water use contribute to water scarcity?

Industrial activity accounts for 20% of global water consumption, and the discharge of industrial wastewater into waterways contributes to water pollution.

What are some ways to increase the available supply of fresh water?

Desalination is one method being used in water-scarce coastal regions to meet growing water demand. Countries like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Spain are leading in desalination efforts.

What is the projected growth of the water industry by 2020?

The water industry is expected to grow from about $500 billion today to $1 trillion by 2020.

What is the role of investing in sustainable water solutions?

Investing in sustainable water solutions not only addresses water scarcity but also provides long-term growth opportunities and enhances portfolio returns.