Water is the most critical resource for all living organisms on our planet. Canada is blessed to have numerous lakes and freshwater resources. However, water scarcity is a growing problem that affects every living being around the world today. In this blog post, we will be taking a deep dive into the water scarcity issue, the causes of the increase in water scarcity and what we can do to combat this and make a sustainable planet for future generations.
What is Water Scarcity and Why is it such a Big Issue?
Water scarcity is when the need and demand for clean freshwater exceed the available supply. Currently, high water scarcity is experienced by over 25 countries around the world, where industries and households consume more than 80% of their available renewable water supply each year.
According to UNICEF, approximately four billion people experience severe water scarcity for at least one month every year. Additionally, millions of people, including children, around the world are forced to walk many kilometres every day to collect usable freshwater for their household uses, due to the inaccessibility of clean water in their areas.
What are the reasons?
With the rise and development of technologies, such as artificial intelligence, crucial resources, including water, are being depleted at an alarming rate. Data centres around the world consume millions of litres daily for cooling purposes. Climate change is also cited as a major reason for the increasing water scarcity because rising temperatures disrupt the water cycle, leading to frequent droughts and the melting of freshwater resources like glaciers.
Another reason for water scarcity being experienced in many developing countries around the world is due to poor infrastructure and a lack of water management and treatment facilities. Pollution is also a key reason for water scarcity, as contamination from chemicals and untreated waste makes existing water sources unusable for drinking.
What are some possible solutions, and how can we help?
Current methods of water usage are not sustainable and will create more problems for life on Earth. So, the steps to address this issue are very critical for the survival of future generations. There are many ways and methods to help solve the water scarcity problem. By using advanced electronic sensors and AI, we can help conserve water usage in agriculture, which accounts for 70% of global water withdrawal. By developing and implementing modern technology, we can increase efficiency in existing irrigation methods.
As global citizens, we can help fight for this cause by conserving our water footprint and being mindful of our resource usage. This can be as simple as turning off the faucet when you are not using it, while brushing your teeth. We can also donate our time or money to charity and non-profit organizations like UNICEF to help build technology and make clean water more accessible to others experiencing water scarcity. Additionally, we can also spread the word through social media or by talking about this issue to spread awareness and raise our voices.