Water - Lets Conserve It | Sukant Kumar Meher | TEDxPradhikaran

Summary

This video addresses the global issue of water scarcity, focusing on the four countries most affected: the USA, Egypt, Iraq, and India. It highlights the alarming rate of water wastage in cities like Kolkata, Bengaluru, and New Delhi, driven by industrialization and overcrowding. The speaker emphasizes the importance of water conservation, explaining the critical need for clean water in rural areas, where unsafe water is causing health issues like kidney disease. The video calls for collective action to conserve water, underscoring the dire consequences for future generations if urgent measures are not taken.

Takeaways

• 😀 Water scarcity is a global concern, affecting countries like the USA, Egypt, Iraq, and India.
• 😀 Industrialization is a primary driver of water scarcity, with industries consuming more water than households.
• 😀 In India, water consumption is expected to rise drastically by 2050, with industrial water usage increasing by 400%.
• 😀 Cities like Kolkata, Bengaluru, and New Delhi waste significant amounts of water, contributing to the crisis.
• 😀 Climate change is worsening the water crisis, leading to extreme weather events like droughts, floods, and uneven rainfall.
• 😀 70% of the Earth's water is saline, leaving only 3.5% as usable fresh water.
• 😀 The lowering of the water table is a growing concern, signaling a potential future water shortage.
• 😀 In rural areas like Orissa, unsafe water is causing health problems, such as kidney disease, affecting the community.
• 😀 The Indian government is implementing solutions like check dams, rainwater harvesting, and water recycling to address the crisis.
• 😀 If every Indian household conserved just 10 liters of water per day, millions of liters could be saved annually, making a significant impact.
• 😀 Sukant Kumar Meher encourages individuals to adopt water conservation practices, emphasizing collective responsibility for preserving water for future generations.

Q & A

Which countries are facing the water scarcity problem?

The four major countries facing the water scarcity problem are the USA, Egypt, Iraq, and India.

What is the main reason for the increasing water scarcity?

The main reason for water scarcity is industrialization, which leads to overcrowding and an increase in per capita water usage.

How does industrial water use compare to agricultural water use in India?

Industrial water use is increasing drastically, with a predicted 400% increase by 2050, while agricultural water use is only predicted to increase by 5%.

How much water do individuals in India waste on average each day?

Each individual in India wastes between 30 to 45 liters of water every day.

Which cities in India waste the most water?

Kolkata wastes 50% of its water, Bengaluru wastes 49%, New Delhi wastes 29%, Chennai wastes 26%, and Mumbai wastes 18%.

What are the consequences of global warming on water distribution?

Global warming results in extreme effects like droughts, floods, hurricanes, and uneven rainfall distribution, which exacerbate water scarcity.

What percentage of Earth's water is saline and how much is usable?

70% of the Earth's water is saline, and only 3.5% is usable for consumption.

What challenges are faced by the villagers in Orissa regarding water?

The villagers in Orissa suffer from contaminated groundwater due to excessive iron and fluoride, leading to widespread kidney disease and lack of access to clean drinking water.

What steps has the Indian government taken to address water scarcity?

The Indian government has implemented measures such as building check dams, promoting rainwater harvesting, rejuvenating ponds and lakes, and establishing water treatment plants to address water scarcity.

How much water can be conserved if every household in India conserves water daily?

If each of the 308 million households in India conserves at least ten liters of water per day, it can result in significant water savings and help combat water scarcity.