Global Water Depletion

                        Global Water Depletion

Based on an article about a book by Sandra Postel-Replenish

                                   Introduction Podcast

Most of the water left on the earth is frozen in the form of glaciers in the Himalayas and snow on Mt Everest leaving just 0.007% of water for human consumption. The 2.5% of freshwater we have is slowly vanishing with the rapid growth of algae, municipal wastes, synthetic and harmful metals and agricultural run-offs into the ocean. Humans use the materials they conveniently get in the market and don’t realise the story behind it. The same cup of coffee many people can not live without that has everyday needs 130 litres of water to grow. While it might seem stretched but the same cotton t-shirt everyone wheres to beat the summer takes 2,700 litres of water to grow. One thing we can all learn is to not waste food as not only did the farmers work hard to grow that, the amount of water you are pushing down the drain when you throw it is a crime, especially in the ongoing crisis. Living in big metropolitan cities many people do not realise the water shortage going on in the farm. However, scientists believe it might only take 10 years for nearly the whole world to face water shortages. Not only do humans suffer from this crisis but even water animals do. Their natural habitat is disappearing as the lakes and ponds seem to dry and the oceans and sea get polluted. Underwater plants may not survive as the oxygen they need to respire is being used up by the algae. In addition to freshwater species, terrestrial animals are also going extinct as the water they need for their growth is drying up. Although humans are trying to save the vanishing water, they may not be trying their best. After all, the water is drying up due to our selfish needs. Isn’t it?

                                   The Web of Life:Podcast 2

What is the web of life?

The web of life refers to how every organism is linked to one and another in one such way. They help each other, not releasing their importance. You can see the web of life throughout nature. It could be a simple example of the biogeochemical cycle- how the nutrient from the nutrient pools is used for human and animal consumption and then returned to the nutrient pool with the help of special bacteria and species. All we hear about in the news is about how humans are drying due to drought but our insects, fish and birds are also disappearing. Since 1970, numerous frogs and fish have died. The old species that are still surviving must have evolved over 100 years just to adapt to the polluted water.

Are we ruining the indirect web?

The web cannot be ruined but it can stop if species go extinct. Not necessarily only animals and humans make the web, rain, thunder and lightning play an important role too. The rain and lighting break up the nitrogen and oxygen compounds into free nitrogen. Hence even if the rain becomes scarce it could affect the web and the water cycle.

                                      Climate Change:Podcast 3

Is it possible to experience climate change due to water scarcity?

It is! Water can completely change the water cycle which directly affects the climate. As the greenhouse gasses continue to absorb heat, the air can hold more moisture hence absorbing the water in wetlands making it wetter. Water scarcity can lead to extreme weather events and unpredictable water availability. Floods, droughts and rainfall events will get more intense. Such impacts can drastically affect the quantity and quality of water that humans and other living organisms need to survive. The repair of damage caused by unpredictable water events takes a huge load of money. Hence indirectly affecting the country’s economy too.

                                    Mitigation:podcast 4

Is it only humans who can play a role in mitigating these water events?

According to me, humans are one of the many creatures who can mitigate this as we use water for selfish needs whereas animals use it to survive. We do need water for many more needs compared to animals but sometimes we take advantage of this blessing and waste it.

                       

                   India: Water Situation:Podcast 5

India suffers from the worst national water crisis. More than 50% of India’s population does not have safe drinking water……..it is believed much more than 200,000 people die due to impure water and impure water diseases such as cholera, typhoid and dysentery. The problem is so big, our lives, livelihoods, and futures hang in the balance. Unfortunately, this is not a problem that can be solved with water pumps, groundwater etc.

 

 

 

 

 

                                 Economy:podcast6

Can the change in the water cycle affect the country’s economy?

Yes! It affects it in a very strong way! The crops that farmers grow help in the country’s foreign exchange that brings money to the economy.If farmers were not able to grow these crops the economy will suffer a money scarcity. Industries can’t function with less water. The news of water depletion spreads, thereby decreasing tourism.

 

 

 

                                     Conclusion:Last podcast 7

Our water is vanishing and it is only us who can save it. We have to take a step and encourage others to do the same. When most water is gone taking steps to preserve it won’t be enough…..we have to start preserving now so that the day when water won’t be available would never come.

Perhaps a plant-based life can be taken. Vegetables like cabbage have more than 91% water yet they take comparatively less water to grow.

If everybody works together, the day where we don’t have water would be far away. But for that, we need to take a step immediately and help give back mother Earth.