Water for thought

The world faces a

water

crisis today. While 70% of

Earth

is covered by water, only 2.5% of this is fresh, the rest being saline. Of this freshwater, only 1% is easily accessible — in effect, just 0.007% of Earth’s water is available for use by nearly eight billion people. Yet, despite this constriction, water use has grown globally at over twice the rate of

population

increase in the last century. Its unsustainable usage now reflects in more than one billion people lacking clean drinking water and over two billion facing severe water scarcity — by 2030, half the world’s population could face major water shortfalls. This crisis is compounded by climate change altering rainfall patterns, hampering Earth’s natural ability to recharge itself. The deepening lack of water affects more than humanity — freshwater animals have declined by over two-thirds since 1970, with those remaining facing extinction as their streams and ponds vanish.



Multiple causes underlie this crisis — over 80% of Earth’s wetlands, crucial for the rejuvenation of water systems between land, sea and sky, have been destroyed since the industrial age began. Large dams and levees have altered the natural sways and bends of rivers and the rich universe of

life

, from birds to fish, plants to microbes, these supported. Wasteful industrial patterns have parched our planet — a pair of shoes involves 8,500 litres of water to make while a cotton shirt requires 2,600 litres. Growing one kilogram of rice demands 2,500 litres — one latte coffee involves 200 litres.



However, as Times Evoke’s global experts emphasise, multiple solutions are possible. Changes in crop patterns — 72% of all water withdrawals are for agriculture — would have an enormous impact while rejuvenating wetlands, instead of building over these, would recharge vital groundwater. Reviving ancient water harvesting methods would store precious rain to tide over arid phases while changes in our own behaviour — to responsible consumption, recycling, reuse and limiting wastage — would return water from industrial systems to vibrant life. Join

Times Evoke

on a journey of valuing the elixir of life, which composes 60% of our own human forms, and for which there is simply no substitute.

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