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The world is confronting many formidable challenges on account of a decrease in

biodiversity, pollution and land degradation. The Earth is also suffering from water

scarcity. Water scarcity is defined as “a water deficiency or a lack of safe water

supplies” (World vision 2022). The United Nations (UN) predicts that water scarcity

could inhibit the economic growth of some countries and lead to food shortages and

international conflicts. The essay aims to determine some major causes of water

shortage. It will specifically put forward several practical solutions such as using

water effectively and desalinating seawater.

Both human activities and climatic factors have led to water scarcity. To begin with,

population growth put enormous stress on the world’s water supply. According to the

UN, the world’s population is expected to reach 9 billion people by 2050, but water

resources have not changed. Glennon (2005, cited in Hutson et al. 2004) states that

river diversions have resulted in dried rivers and heavy pumping water from too

many undergrounds has depleted abundant aquifers. The contamination of

numerous underground basins by industrial chemicals may reduce an enormous

amount of drinkable water. Apart from human activities, climatic factors also

contribute to the water crisis. According to Glennon (2005), rising levels of carbon

dioxide due to the burning of fossil fuels have caused the Earth’s temperature to rise.

The author points out that global warming exceeds evaporation rapidly from the
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surface of water resources such as lakes, streams, and rivers. Consequently, people

find it difficult to gain access to freshwater.

One possible way to deal with the problem of water scarcity would be to use it more

effectively. Water-effective techniques such as turning off the taps while brushing

teeth, using a bucket instead of hosepipes to water the garden or wash the cars and

limiting the lavatory can save a huge amount of water (Pearce 2008, para. H).

Pearce (2008) argues that drip irrigation may deliver water drop by drop to plants, so

it reduces a huge amount of water. Also, it would be a good idea if we reuse

household water for other purposes such as watering golf courses and parks

(Glennon 2005, para. 14).

Another way to avoid water crisis would be desalinating seawater. The removal of

salt from ocean water to make it drinkable can provide the possibility of an abundant

new resource of water. For instance, in some Middle Eastern and the Caribbean

Islands, people have drunk water from desalination plants for a long period

( Glennon 2005, para. 12). According to Glennon (2005), the main drawback of water

desalination is the high cost and energy consumption. Overall, the desalination of

sea water is a great step to expand a new fresh water resource.

All in all, water scarcity is a major problem for the Earth and it is urgent to find some

measures to overcome it. Human practices and climatic factors have resulted in the
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lack of water. There is an essential need to address the issues by using water

effectively and desalinating ocean water. However, the main drawback of the

desalination of seawater is the high cost. Therefore, Pearce (2008) believes that two

alternative solutions to combat the problem are likely to encourage the reusing of

household water and explore the technology of desalination plants.

Reference

Glennon, R. 2005, ‘Water scarcity, marketing and privatization’, Texas Law Review,

vol. 83, no. 7, pp. 1873-1902.

Pearce, F. 2008, ‘Hidden water’, TUNZA, vol. 6, no. 3, pp. 4-5.

Hutson, S., Barber, N., Kenny, J., Linsey, K., Lumia, D. and Maupin, M., 2004,

"Estimated Use of Water in the United States in 2000", US Geological Survey

Circular 1268, Restion Va.