In a speech to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, Australian Minister for the Environment, Moss Cass said, “We have not inherited this earth from our parents to do with it what we will. We have borrowed it from our children and we must be careful to use it in their interests as well as our own.” The United Nations has predicted that, by 2050, the world’s population will be 9.6 billion and reach 10.9 billion by 2100 (“Don’t Panic” 1).
Problems facing these future generations include resource depletion and shortages, overpopulation, and pollution. Desertification and soil exhaustion rates are increasing as farmers produce more food for a growing population (Otterpohl 3). Energy and water resources are depleting …show more content…
The low long term cost of solar energy and the benefit of solar power for the environment make it an ideal option for large scale energy production. The integration of enhanced solar panels and improved batteries strengthen the possibility of solar energy being one of the main sources of sustainable energy for future generations. The second crises that demands a solution is the water crisis. Only three percent of the water on Earth is freshwater, and only one percent of freshwater is accessible and usable (“Freshwater Crisis” 1). The need for water grows in proportion to the expanding human race. Water scarcity is projected to affect over 1.8 billion people globally by 2015 (“Freshwater Crisis” 1). Water consumption reduction on a city scale must address the leading causes of water consumption, agriculture and …show more content…
Future cities with an industrial base must efficiently use water. Industrial water use can be reduced through using renewable energy sources. Nuclear and fossil fuels use larger amounts of water, for purposes such as cooling, then renewable energy sources such as solar or wind power (“Water and Energy Efficiency by Sectors” 1). Industrial water consumption can also be reduced through the reuse of water. Reclaimed water can be used in cooling towers, boilers, technology manufacturing, and prepared food manufacturing (Abel 106-110). Wastewater from industrial use can be treated and reclaimed for future use. Through the use of environmental buffers and treatment plans consumed industrial water can be returned to the environment and natural resources for further use in other sectors (Abel 114-115). It is through conscientious and efficient water use that cities will be able to have a sustainable water supply without consuming large amounts of limited natural
Problems facing these future generations include resource depletion and shortages, overpopulation, and pollution. Desertification and soil exhaustion rates are increasing as farmers produce more food for a growing population (Otterpohl 3). Energy and water resources are depleting …show more content…
The low long term cost of solar energy and the benefit of solar power for the environment make it an ideal option for large scale energy production. The integration of enhanced solar panels and improved batteries strengthen the possibility of solar energy being one of the main sources of sustainable energy for future generations. The second crises that demands a solution is the water crisis. Only three percent of the water on Earth is freshwater, and only one percent of freshwater is accessible and usable (“Freshwater Crisis” 1). The need for water grows in proportion to the expanding human race. Water scarcity is projected to affect over 1.8 billion people globally by 2015 (“Freshwater Crisis” 1). Water consumption reduction on a city scale must address the leading causes of water consumption, agriculture and …show more content…
Future cities with an industrial base must efficiently use water. Industrial water use can be reduced through using renewable energy sources. Nuclear and fossil fuels use larger amounts of water, for purposes such as cooling, then renewable energy sources such as solar or wind power (“Water and Energy Efficiency by Sectors” 1). Industrial water consumption can also be reduced through the reuse of water. Reclaimed water can be used in cooling towers, boilers, technology manufacturing, and prepared food manufacturing (Abel 106-110). Wastewater from industrial use can be treated and reclaimed for future use. Through the use of environmental buffers and treatment plans consumed industrial water can be returned to the environment and natural resources for further use in other sectors (Abel 114-115). It is through conscientious and efficient water use that cities will be able to have a sustainable water supply without consuming large amounts of limited natural