Global issues such as water contamination, water scarcity and food resource problems are surfacing at a startling rate and are taking a heavy toll on the entire globe and its population. Each individual issue can be found in nearly all countries. Water scarcity is found in India, China, and Saudi Arabia. Water contamination is prominent in Nigeria, Sudan, and the USA. Food crises can be found in Pakistan, Russia, and Mexico. These issues are truly global, and have a global impact. In 2013, UN water stated that, “783 million people do not have access to clean water and almost 2.5 billion do not have access to proper sanitation. 6 to 8 million people die annually from the consequences of disasters and water-related diseases.” (Facts and Figures).
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The World Health Organization, the World Bank Group Development education program, Global Water and the Global Water Challenge draw attention to the fact that “over one billion people lack access to safe drinking water” (Lall). Due to inconsistency between supply and demand of water, there are parched lands, dry riverbeds and springs, and falling groundwater tables across the world daily. For example, Saudi Arabia is facing one of the worst water droughts/shortages. The natural water tables below the surfaces are at an all-time low point. In the article, “A New Challenge: Water Scarcity in the Arab World” (Swann), it describes Saudi Arabia’s water use as “careless” and “irresponsible.” Partaking in little to no water supply management coupled with inappropriate agricultural policies, exacerbated by years of internal strife, have led to an unsustainable amount of water usage. For example, the renewable water sources in Saudi Arabia are very limited; however, “the country is third only to the United States and Canada in the amount of water used per capita, with a level of consumption around 250 L per capita daily.”(Swann). Even with many tariffs on water per liter, Saudi Arabia still has no incentive to conserve water. In fact, Saudi Arabia’s growing water insecurity has led it to use water resources in neighboring countries such as Jordan and …show more content…
Many of those same countries that are struggling with water scarcity are also struggling water contamination. In poor countries this becomes a very repetitive problem. Science Direct showcased a study of an Indian town’s water. The water that is sent to people’s homes comes from a lake, and pumps subsurface water from a dry river bed. This water is “monitored for microbial contamination during household storage.” (Science Direct). When water becomes a household storage the report showed a 67 percent increase in contamination. After a period of 7-9 days, the water in almost every house of the village is considered contaminated. Health issues arise in living areas just like this all around the globe. Deteriorating water quality has become a global topic of concern as human populations mature, industrial and agricultural activities expand, and climate change threatens to cause major diseases and illnesses. Water contamination often leads to other public health issues; more people are left vulnerable to diseases such as leukemia, cancer, lead poisoning and hepatitis A. Water contamination also affects birth and birth-defects. The effects of public drinking water contamination on birth outcomes were evaluated via Science Direct. They concluded that “when contaminated water is consumed odd ratios of birth-defects are jumped 1.5 or greater” (ScienceDirect) The following abnormalities were found in infants: total trihalomethanes, central
The World Health Organization, the World Bank Group Development education program, Global Water and the Global Water Challenge draw attention to the fact that “over one billion people lack access to safe drinking water” (Lall). Due to inconsistency between supply and demand of water, there are parched lands, dry riverbeds and springs, and falling groundwater tables across the world daily. For example, Saudi Arabia is facing one of the worst water droughts/shortages. The natural water tables below the surfaces are at an all-time low point. In the article, “A New Challenge: Water Scarcity in the Arab World” (Swann), it describes Saudi Arabia’s water use as “careless” and “irresponsible.” Partaking in little to no water supply management coupled with inappropriate agricultural policies, exacerbated by years of internal strife, have led to an unsustainable amount of water usage. For example, the renewable water sources in Saudi Arabia are very limited; however, “the country is third only to the United States and Canada in the amount of water used per capita, with a level of consumption around 250 L per capita daily.”(Swann). Even with many tariffs on water per liter, Saudi Arabia still has no incentive to conserve water. In fact, Saudi Arabia’s growing water insecurity has led it to use water resources in neighboring countries such as Jordan and …show more content…
Many of those same countries that are struggling with water scarcity are also struggling water contamination. In poor countries this becomes a very repetitive problem. Science Direct showcased a study of an Indian town’s water. The water that is sent to people’s homes comes from a lake, and pumps subsurface water from a dry river bed. This water is “monitored for microbial contamination during household storage.” (Science Direct). When water becomes a household storage the report showed a 67 percent increase in contamination. After a period of 7-9 days, the water in almost every house of the village is considered contaminated. Health issues arise in living areas just like this all around the globe. Deteriorating water quality has become a global topic of concern as human populations mature, industrial and agricultural activities expand, and climate change threatens to cause major diseases and illnesses. Water contamination often leads to other public health issues; more people are left vulnerable to diseases such as leukemia, cancer, lead poisoning and hepatitis A. Water contamination also affects birth and birth-defects. The effects of public drinking water contamination on birth outcomes were evaluated via Science Direct. They concluded that “when contaminated water is consumed odd ratios of birth-defects are jumped 1.5 or greater” (ScienceDirect) The following abnormalities were found in infants: total trihalomethanes, central