Climate change is depleting or polluting our freshwater sources. Can we survive in a drier world?
By Matthew Rozsa
Staff Writer
Salon
Arguably the most important question for humanity in the 21st century is how we will adapt to climate change. While climate change is a multifaceted problem that is going to wreak all kinds of havoc on Earth and its life, humans will inevitably need to focus on preserving resources that are most fundamental to sustaining us. Water is foremost among them. The inorganic compound covers 71 percent of the Earth’s surface and is without question one of the most vital resources. Humans cannot survive for more than three days without consuming it, and water is essential to growing and raising the plants and animals that humans rely on for food. Since only three percent of Earth’s water is freshwater, and less than half of that is potable (safe for drinking), it would be a very bad thing if climate change made potable water more scarce.
Unfortunately, experts say that is exactly what is happening.
Water is becoming scarce both in quantity and quality, explains East Carolina University associate professor of geology Dr. Alex K. Manda in an email to Salon. Manda added that we can expect “reduction in precipitation amounts due to changing climate, persistent drought conditions [and] excessive withdrawals of groundwater from aquifers.” Meanwhile, the quality of freshwater is diminishing, too, owing to “saltwater intrusion [and] pollution of water resources.”