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Crisis: Water

The Global Water Crisis

By Dr. WilliamsPublished 7 years ago 9 min read
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Whatever you may think of the Syrian crisis, the Iran nuclear agreement, or the troubles with North Korea, there still remains an undercurrent of economic uncertainty in every part of the world today. That economic uncertainty stems from the fact that fresh water isn't available to millions the world over. When we here about our own infrastructure failings right here in the good old USA too many of our elected officials omit the plain fact of the matter that access to fresh water is vital for all other infrastructure projects to succeed. And without access to fresh water our whole economy will crumble.

No matter who you are, every life form on this planet needs fresh water to survive. The United States is experiencing a very acute water shortage –especially in California. What is more troubling is the fact that whatever ground water there is remaining really is unsafe to drink or even use in irrigation because of all the contaminants that have been allowed to seep into our underground aquifers. California is not alone either in experiencing sever weather conditions. All across the US we have witnessed above normal severe weather that has disrupted not only the flow of commerce but destroyed property, livelihoods and lives. Coinciding with this past springs weather is the fact that our available fresh water continues to be wasted or squandered just because we have failed to capitalize on what nature already provides. Many don't even realize that the planet naturally produces abundant clean air, nourishing food and fresh water for all living things. It is up to humanity now to implement the means that nature already provides so that everyone has access to what nature already does. We have the technology now and the means to do so. So why are so many millions the world over still languish in such dire conditions?

A most disturbing reality already placing millions not only here in the United States but all over the world in peril is that the privatization of water resources has been allowed to supersede to favor the wealthy and discriminate against the poor. In reality, what has already taken place through-out the world through privatization of water resources has increased the number of poor and destitute while incubating more and severe health conditions all around the planet. Could it be that corporate war mongers continue their assault on the poor, and the destitute to satisfy their unquenchable thirst for more profits?

In every major city across the US, water utilities have already raised water rates to the point that millions now have had their water shut off. Then again what has taken place in California is typical that many still can't get access to existing municipal water utility companies or even city sewage. Without access to proper sanitation believe it or not is a growing epidemic right here in the United States. The United States is one of many countries that does not recognize that access to fresh water as an inherit right. With the trend to privatize water utility companies too many are being faced with extreme almost inhumane living conditions just because they lack the affordability to acquire the means to have access to fresh water and proper sanitation.

The situation is very evident in California but also in India where ground water has been diverted from local farmers for the purpose of manufacturing and in this case that manufacturing plant is Coke, the soft drink company with world wide distribution. Many people don't understand just what goes into the process of making soft drinks and how much fresh water they actually use and waste. For instance for every 1 litter of Coke needs 3 litters of fresh water. When we think of the volume of soft drinks made not only in India but all through-out the world so much fresh water is wasted and striped away from farms and underground aquifers just for the continuation for corporate gains.

In no other period in history has mankind faced such overwhelming odds in obtaining enough fresh water. According to the World Health Organization the need for potable water has increased drastically over the past 25 years making accessibility to enough water the most vital of importance. Not only is having enough fresh water available for maintaining a nations overall health but it is the most essential proponent to securing global peace.

Ever since time began, wars and mass destruction have all been caused by the availability of fresh water being denied to other nations or populations. More precious than gold, oil, or any other valuable commodity, having enough fresh water has been histories most valuable resource. A global epidemic of disease and plagues will be thrust upon mankind if nations don't resolve an put forth contingencies that will expedite the transfer of abundant resources of fresh water are made available to other areas around the globe where drought conditions exist. Technology has also made it possible to manufacture water where their remains no other alternative.

Water the most valuable resource for all life. But, it is the lack of abundant fresh drinkable water that is an ever increasing global crisis. In 2002, over 2 billion people, representing about 20% of the global population, lacked access to improved water sources. This number is expected to rise to over 5 billion by 2027 if nothing is done. In order to meet the water supply Millennium Development Goals, an additional 450,000 people must be given access to improved water resources every day until the end of 2016. This may seem like a daunting and extremely huge task, especially when it comes to bringing potable water to more scarcely populated areas. But, to do as we have always been doing is still a futile attempt. Poor water quality as we are seeing in California and other parts of the United States and many other countries around the world increase the risk of such diarrhea diseases as cholera, typhoid fever and dysentery, and other water-borne infections. Water scarcity can lead to diseases such as trachoma (an eye infection that can lead to blindness), plague and typhus. Another problem associated with water scarcity it encourages people to store water in their homes. This can increase the risk of household water contamination and provide breeding grounds for mosquitoes which are carriers of dengue fever, malaria and other diseases.

The scientific community have come up with many ways to duplicate what nature already does. And in many instances the cost factor in water transport is minimized by their discoveries. With the population globally at around 7 billion today with the projected population growth rate that will exceed by 45% over the next 50 years means that without correcting and solving the water crisis global tensions will only continue to escalate. By 2025, water demand is projected to exceed supply by 56%. Demand is doubling every two years. And, serious shortages are already affecting nearly 500 million people including millions right here in the United States. What this all means is that the world today is rapidly running out of access to fresh water. Figuring in the amount of pollution that is still pouring into rivers, waterways, lakes and even the world's oceans is contributing on such a massive scale the reduction of available fresh water. The squandering, the hoarding, and the wasting of what nature already provides today has increased the rate of decreasing amounts of fresh water available for all life on this planet.

Countries like China, India, Africa, Latin America and, yes, the United States are in dire straits. China and India account for 40% of the world’s population. Yet neither country has potable tap water. Two-thirds of China’s cities face water shortages. And in big cities like New Delhi, ground water is expected to dry up by 2015. In Latin America, about 15% of the population 76 million people lacks the availability of safe drinking water. And, over 200 million don’t have sanitation services. In Detroit, still thousands have had their water either shut off or are denied access to city water and sewage just like in too many other cities across the United States. The prognosis if man continues of the same path of denial to the monumental crisis at hand the world that we now know will be no more.

Using the availability of today's technology, there are increasingly innovative ways to make clean water from dirty water, produce more available potable water, encourage more conservation of the available water that is at hand and transfer fresh water from areas that have abundant sources to areas that lack water reserves. Whether it is seawater desalination, water recycling and purification, wastewater treatment, potable water treatment, or water creation (which is just starting to be known because of the new development of technology that is making this possible) or national water aqueducts are all real authentic and viable solutions to this very real eminent threat to the existence of life.

When China is expected to spend more than a trillion dollars over the next ten years to secure more fresh water for their growing population, they are recognizing the enormity of a crisis in the making and are doing enough investment so their population even with all it's projected growth will have enough available fresh water to maintain health and security. A sort of water revolution is afoot in China right now. On the other hand in the United States there remains virtually no real contingencies to combat water shortages here.

Today's advancement in technology has made it possible that man can manufacture enough drinkable water using the relatively well known equation H2O. The most abundant source of fresh water is actually in the earth's atmosphere. For instance, when atmospheric humidity condenses, it falls as rain. We now have devises that enable every one to replicate natures process of delivery rain. A devise so extraordinary that very few know of it's existence. It replicates natures process of condensation by simulating the dew point which makes it possible to continually make water even in very low humidity conditions. In Florida where humidity is so stifling during the summer more water can be made. Even during the winter enough water can be made to ensure that everyone has access to abundant fresh water where the average temperature is above 60 degrees and the humidity is above 40%.

In practically every society, there are those who continue to exert their dominance over others whether it is for power, control or wealth there will always be populations that are subjected to the greed of others. All through-out history man has sought to control others through manipulation, and control of certain devises that can make a monumental difference in the quality of life of others. In this case the manufacture of fresh water using natural resources like solar or wind to produce the energy that provides the power to replicate natures process of condensation is paramount in securing abundant fresh water in areas that remain isolated from water transfer facilities. It is paramount that our elected officials act on making not only access to fresh water and sanitation more accessible but resolve that having this access as a human right will not only secure this nations stability but reinforce the reality of Global peace.

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About the Creator

Dr. Williams

A PhD in Economics. Author of National Economic Reform's Ten Articles of Confederation.

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