Water Renewable Resources Water Renewable Resources Water l
Water
Renewable Resources Water
Renewable Resources Water l l Heavy pesticide use has poisoned the Jordan River in the Middle East. Like air, water was also once regarded as limitless and accorded little value. We only come to value it when clean water is in short supply.
Renewable Resources Water II 1. 385 billion water is available on this planet. 96% of this is in the oceans, 1. 7% is groundwater, 1. 74% is locked in glaciers. 022 is ice and. 013 is found in lakes. Ø Supplies are not evenly distributed. Ø km 3 of Water Available (103 m 3 per year per capita) Per capita water supplies are declining everywhere.
Renewable Resources Water III The drawing down of aquifers in the Western United States is resulting in significant increases in the cost of water to homes, agriculture and industry and a search for alternate water sources. Ø The United Nations Human Development Report for 1998 indicates that global water availability had dropped from 17, 000 cubic meters per capita in 1950 to around 7, 000. Ø
Renewable Resources Water IV Ø A Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health report notes that “By 2025…one in every three people will live in countries short of water. ” A Village Well in Northern India
Renewable Resources Water V Ø Up to 80% of disease in developing countries is related to insufficient and unsanitary water supplies. The still waters of tropical rice paddies, like this one in Thailand, are ideal breeding grounds for parasites.
Renewable Resources Water VI Ø The Environmental News Network reported in 1998 that: l “Even within a country, competition for use can be fierce. The water in China’s Yellow River, for example, is under so much demand that the river has dried up before reaching the ocean. In 1996, when there was enough water, the government ordered farmers not to use it; a state-run oil field further downstream needed the water to operate. ”
Renewable Resources Water VII Water is crucial for consumption, agriculture and industry. Ø These uses must compete for available water supplies. Ø Furthermore, such uses may be harmful to existing systems. Ø Decision makers must balance these needs. Ø Cleveland Dam, North Vancouver, BC
Renewable Resources Water VIII Ø Man has fought over resources throughout history. Perhaps water will fuel the conflicts of the 21 st century. Neither deep nor wide, the Jordan River feeds Jordan, Syria and Israel. Guaranteed water flows are crucial for each of these parched countries and denial of this life -giving resource could drive any to war.
Fresh water around the globe Water covers 75% of the world's surface, but only 3% is fresh water that can be used and consumed Ø Most of this freshwater is not accessible. Over 75% is in the form of glaciers and ice caps. Over 20% is groundwater Ø Approximately 1% of the world's surface or belowground freshwater is accessible for human use Ø
Problem #1: Access to water While there is enough water on the planet, it is not evenly distributed Ø Currently more than 1 billion people do not have access to clean water. This could rise to 4 billion by 2025 Ø
How much fresh water does Canada have? Ø About 20% of the world's freshwater is found within Canada's borders Ø The Great Lakes contain 18% of all surface fresh water in the world! Ø Canada has 25% of the world's wetlands the largest wetland area in the world
Problem #2: Water Usage Developed nations use more than their “fair share” of water resources Ø Two causes of water shortage: falling groundwater tables and diverting surface water Ø
How do Canadians use water? Power generation i. e. hydro electric, nuclear, fossil fuels Ø Manufacturing industries: it takes 295, 000 L of water to produce 910 kg of paper Ø Agriculture: 1000 L of water is needed to grow 1 kg of potatoes Ø Municipal and personal use i. e. homes, hospitals, schools, cooking, cleaning, drinking Ø
How Canadians use water Ø Canadians use on avg. 343 L of water person, per day in the home Ø We use a lot of drinking water to keep our yards green. During the summer half of all treated water is sprayed on to lawns and gardens
The cost of water in Canada Canadians' demand for water continues to grow, but we pay relatively little for it. Ø Just over 50% of people in Canada who get water from a municipal utility are charged based on a water metre. The rest are charged a flat rate. Ø People who are on a water metre use 70% less water than those who are charged a flat rate Ø
Problem #3: Groundwater Abuse Ø Groundwater is threatened by population growth and overuse Ø Groundwater is stored in aquifers within the water table Ø This water will naturally replenish over time, is easy and cheap to access, and is not subject to high evaporation rates
Ø If water is withdrawn from the aquifer too quickly, there is a threat the water table will collapse
Ø Groundwater can also become contaminated when human, animal, and industrial waste seeps into the aquifer
Problem #4 – Surface Water Abuse Ø Water pollution is the environmental contamination of water with man-made waste, such as raw sewage, industrial and agricultural chemicals and waste
Ø Just think: l Many places in Canada are dumping raw sewage into the ocean without being treated! Including Victoria! l Pollution in the Fraser River is threatening sturgeon and salmon species
About 3. 4 million people die each year from diseases caused by unsafe drinking water, lack of sanitation and insufficient water for hygiene Ø In developing countries 80% of illnesses are waterrelated. Water-related illness kills a child every 8 seconds Ø
Water Videos Water Planet (4: 13) http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=bv 22 c. Tud Ju. Q F. L. O. W. Movie Trailer (2: 18) http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=N 7 JYS 7 M y 6 n. U&feature=related
Solutions Ø Sustainable water management is possible with current technology l l l l Recycle and reclaim water Low flow toilets, shower heads, sprinklers Regulate groundwater use Water regulations and restrictions Install water meters on all houses Limit diversion of rivers Regulate industrial and agricultural waste Foreign aid projects for clean water and sanitation
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