Water scarcity: what it is, causes and consequences

The great increase in the consumption of fresh water as a natural resource has become in recent decades a serious problem facing humanity, which has caused a lack of water to supply the world’s population. The demanding demand for “blue gold” among the population has caused that the amount of fresh water available to supply all regions and populations of the planet is not enough.

In 2018, a report by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) warned that water shortages will affect 5 billion people by 2050 . The main reasons? Climate change, increased demand and supply contamination, among many other factors.

Next, let’s see better what are the main causes of water scarcity.

Both historically and politically, there are many countries that have made proper water management difficult, as many territories were only focused on the desire to achieve greater economic and geopolitical development. In this way, water scarcity should not necessarily be associated with poor and underdeveloped countries, as there are also many developed countries that suffer from the causes and consequences of water scarcity.

The main causes that have led to water shortages are:

• The destruction of natural sources of water : these have been carried out through the overexploitation of rivers and underground water reserves.
• Greater demand : Massive population, industrial and agricultural growth has caused the demand for water to rise dramatically.
• Consumption patterns : as these generate large imbalances by not allowing the available water to be renewed.
• Climate change : the main responsible for the worst times of droughts is climate change, a great problem that we have caused among all of society.
• Poor distribution : one of the main causes of water scarcity is the inequitable distribution of fresh water in the world.
• Contaminated water : it is worth highlighting the contamination of the water of rivers, streams, lakes and lagoons due tol dumping of different toxic waste. Among these residues we find those that come from industrial and domestic waste and those derived from crop fields in which agrochemicals have been used. If you are interested in knowing more information, do not miss this article on Solutions to water pollution .
• Unsustainable extraction of water from sources, rivers and lakes : this extraction prevents water from continuing its cycle as a renewable resource. This is because, generally, the water is extracted much faster than it takes to renew itself.
• Mass urbanization : the last great cause is urbanization, since it is concentrated in populations with increasing demographic indices. We cannot forget either the country-city exodus, as this entails a higher standard of living and, consequently, a greater use of water.

In the next section we will focus on describing the consequences of water scarcity.

Water scarcity situations pose serious threats to global security, as both the supply and renewal of water in the world are increasingly challenged. For this reason, access to this fundamental element has become a source of power or, on the contrary, a threat of discord that carries various consequences. These are the main consequences of water scarcity in the world:

• Conflicts between states worldwide.
• Situations of water stress in the population due to the deficit of available resources. If you want to learn more about this serious problem, don’t miss this AgroCorrn article on Water stress: water in danger .
• Difficulties in the population to provide water with the quality and in the necessary quantities.
• The little awareness about the problem of water scarcity leads to damage on the maintenance of the quantity and quality of available water, as well as to establish an equitable distribution for its consumption. To remedy this conflict, take a look at this other article on Why it is important to take care of water .
• Health risks when consuming water that has not received proper treatment and that has been subjected to stagnation and proliferation of insects, rodents and other animals carrying infectious diseases.
  

Here is a video that will help you learn more about the topic of water scarcity.

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