Water is tremendously important to life on Earth, its biodiversity and to sustaining human life. It is easy to take water for granted especially in first world countries where it is easily accessible. Even though the Earth may appear to be abundant with water ( about 70 % percent of the Earth is covered in water), in many parts of the world access to clean drinkable water is limited and a luxury.
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This may be a result of a lack of resources and infrastructure in certain countries, or the result of climate change and natural phenomena such as droughts that can occur in anywhere from Texas to Somalia.
Check out this link for more information on the water resources of that the Earth holds: http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/earthhowmuch.html
Other geographical areas like the Middle East are abundant in oil, gas, sunshine and wind but are lacking in one essential: water.
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Check out the video below to watch engineer Fahad Al-Attiya talk about the ways that Qatar creates its water supply.
Or watch Anupam Mishra talk about engineering feats that were used to harvest water in India’s Golden Desert. These structures were built centuries ago and are still used today.
While wars are being fought for the control of oil, the fight for the control of water is looming. Read the following articles that discuss this issue below:
http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2011/06/2011622193147231653.htm
http://www.thenational.ae/news/world/middle-east/iraqs-new-war-is-a-fight-for-water
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-202_162-57402448/u.s.-water-may-cause-wars-in-coming-decades
For more information on the water crisis, click on the link below for a list of ten must-see documentaries that expose some of the critical issues facing water in the 21st century.
Let’s all try to be responsible Earth citizens and save our water. Check out the link below for tips on how to save water everyday:
Earth Matters 