Research Paper on Global Water Shortage

Introduction

Water shortage has become one of the main crisis facing the world today (Stephens, 2014). Being that 70 percent of the earth is covered by water, it would be unthinkable to talk of a shortage (Kallen, 2015). However, the scarcity is the absence of freshwater resources to meet the demand for water (Chellaney, 2013). The crisis has been linked to various causes with both regional and global sources being mentioned. In his book on the worldwide water crisis, Barlow (2009) talks of a concern raised by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) of the severe risk of water shortage faced by billions of people as a result of the meltdown occurring to the world's glaciers. It is also important to note that the demand for fresh water has increased to include use for industrial purposes besides human activity. The water challenges around the world are mainly a result of an unequal distribution that causes the overall global crisis (Newton, 2016). Water is not only crucial to human, but it is also vital to crops and freshwater animals. The world needs to come up with a way to address the increased demand for fresh water to avert the potential shortage crisis. One of the solutions to the issue is proper management of the available water supplies. The management will help to avoid depleting water sources and ensure continued availability for use even in the future.

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Problem

Water shortage is a significant threat to life because of the role water plays to living things. More than one-third of the global population experience at least a month per year of water shortage. The situation is worse for half a billion people that face the scarcity all year long. Also, half of the world's largest cities are faced with water shortage (Newton, 2016). Statics show that a paltry 0.014% of the earth's water is both accessible and fresh (Jac van der, 2012). The water scarcity is caused by adverse climatic conditions that result in some very wet areas while others are quite dry. Although there is enough clean water at a global level and on an annual basis, the temporal and spatial variations of water availability and demand are large thus the scarcity and in specific times of the year (Newton, 2016). Also, agricultural irrigation, climate change, population growth, and urbanization are some of the factors that are said to use up the available water resources (Stephens, 2014).

Water Distribution

Poor distribution of water is one of the main contributors to the scarcity experienced around the world (Newton, 2016). There is sufficient fresh water to meet the global demand. However, some regions face scarcity due to lack of access. This type of deficiency is referred to as the economic scarcity of water. The shortage is experienced in areas where the supply of fresh water is enough, but there lacks the means to make it accessible to the people. Areas that experience economic water shortage lack the infrastructure required to draw water from the various sources available. This scarcity is also witnessed when a region fails to have the human capacity needed to meet the demand for allocation of resources. Parts of Africa are an example of such areas where people are forced to travel long distances in search of water that in most cases is contaminated (Chellaney, 2013). Poverty, therefore, subjects communities to poor distribution of water especially for those living in arid and semi-arid areas (Barlow & Clarke, 2011).

Climate

Severe changes in climate have led to global water shortage. Some of the causes of climate change include; shrinking lakes and pond, reduced river flow and receding glaciers (Stephens, 2014). Increased temperatures lead to the consequent increase in rainfall. However, due to a high rate of evaporation areas end up getting drier (Stephens, 2014). This sharp increase is as a result of global warming that is caused by the effect of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere (Stephens, 2014). Global warming is also expected to cause severe droughts in parts of the world resulting in a water crisis. Mountains contribute about 50% to the world's fresh water supply in the form of rivers (Newton, 2016). High temperatures cause unsustainable melting of glaciers that are the source of the clean water. The disappearing of the glaciers thus implies that these sources of fresh water are affected leading to water shortage. This impact is felt in the long term despite the temporary increase in water supply from the melting glaciers (Chellaney, 2013).

Depletion of Sources

Exploitation of alternative water sources has had increased strain on the resources. Apart from surface water, groundwater is another valuable source of fresh water (Chellaney, 2013). The increasing use of water from the aquifers exceeds the natural capacity of this resource to recharge. This imbalance results in the eventual depletion of these resources thus causing a water shortage. According to a report by the United Nations on world water, depletion of groundwater is a concern that has drawn the attention of several researchers (Jac van der, 2012). The reports notes documented examples that mention the decline of groundwater levels of numerous aquifers around the world. In another instance by Stephens (2014), aquifers are being depleted following the increase of wells without regard to proper exploitation. Some of the effects that the depletion has to water include induced salinity, affects the water quality and increases the cost of pumping the groundwater. Depletion of the aquifer as Barlow and Clarke (2011) state has in the recent time caused a water shortage in North America a region that formerly believed the deficit was a Third World problem

Solution

Majority of the world's water problems are centered on management. The management issue requires policies that cut across the board to provide a pre-emptive solution to the causes of water shortage. The reasons that cause a water shortage in most regions are as a result of human impact. Human activities and decisions affect the supply of water resulting in adverse effects to the sources (Barlow, 2009). Global warming, for instance, is a phenomenon whose rise is attributed to reckless human activities that have little regard for the environment. Extravagant water usage is another of the human causes of water scarcity (Newton, 2016). The inequality of resource distribution also lies within human control in the level of government decisions. All the above situations point to a single source of the crisis which is the human being. Therefore, there should be policies put in place that check all the activities associated with water scarcity and incentivize conservation of the remaining resources (Bigas, Morris, Sandford, & Adeel, 2012).

Climate change and its impact on the environment has been a point of concern around the world. Cases of adverse climatic conditions such as floods and prolonged droughts are some of the red flags regarding the issue of climate (Newton, 2016). Climatic patterns have become irregular and the changes unpredictable. Also, the rapid melting of the glaciers is related to climate change. The cause of this change, however, is human activities among them poor farming practices that affect the hydrological cycle and the eco-system at large. The greenhouse gas effect has caused a devastating impact on the atmosphere that inherently reflects on the climate (Newton, 2016). Top on the list concerning climate change is passing laws that seek to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (Kallen, 2015). The other solution is to develop a mechanism to manipulate climate through counter reaction thus reversing the situation. Also, expanding knowledge on the climate system can help to manage the risk associated with the change (Kallen, 2015).

Distribution of water to meet the demand of a particular region's population is the mandate of the government. According to the U.N standard, water is considered a fundamental human right, and therefore the government should include in its budget allocations to facilitate developing the infrastructure to supply water (Jac van der, 2012). This solution is especially pertinent in areas that are faced with economic water scarcity. Investing in infrastructural development to promote access to fresh water benefits the respective communities thus reducing water shortage. If the budget cannot fund such projects, the government or individual citizens through various organization can appeal for aid to help finance the initiative. Alternatively, the government can collaborate with community-based organizations to develop projects that aim to enable access to water (Bigas, Morris, Sandford, & Adeel, 2012). The solutions to this issue should mainly focus on raising funds to help set up resources that used to promote the accessibility of water.

Aquifers are often depleted because of excessive pumping of water that exceeds the rate that it takes to regain it (Stephens, 2014). Administrations should enact laws that ensure stringent measures to control drilling of wells in an unregulated manner. Stephens (2014) identifies a problem associated with enforcement rather than policy formulation whereby wells are sunk without regard to spacing and volume pumped. Such as a case shows that regulations need to be tightened to ensure that people comply with the given standards. Another remedy concerning groundwater is encouraging responsible use of water that entails recycling to limit unnecessary pumping.

Evaluation of the Evidence

The evidence used during this research is reliable and without bias. Most of the sources used in this paper are published eBooks with impressive reviews and ratings on Google scholar. Also, some of the information was obtained from peer-reviewed sources that have been adequately researched and cited. These sources are reliable considering the depth of the referencing and borrowing of information from notable organizations like the water report by the United Nations. The sources have also had extensive research and consideration put into the content provided to ensure the validity and relevance of the data provided. The sources used to assess the damage on groundwater focused on a specific area by analyzing the depletion of the aquifer according to examined volumes of water (Barlow & Clarke, 2011). This source, therefore, provided valid information that had verifiable figures and accurate comparison within specified intervals.

Ethical Outcomes of Solution

Curbing water shortage means that more people around the world will have enhanced access to water. The current situation is such that, the water supply is sufficient. However, due to physical and economic constraints it is not available to all. The solutions proposed in this paper should help to distribute water evenly to meet the global demand. The solutions also attempt to offer water security by promoting means to conserve the available water sources that are a risk of depletion. Adequate water supply and distribution is a human right, and therefore the solutions suggested seek to ensure that the right is protected. Besides eliminating the shortage, the solution such as geoengineering of the climate and policies to protect water sources such as the aquifers are an essential measure in conserving the environment (Bigas, Morris, Sandford, & Adeel, 2012). The collective result of the solutions helping to meet the minimum acceptable standards of humane treatment regarding the provision of water thus improving the quality of life.

Conclusion

Water scarcity is an issue of global concern. Lack of fresh water to use in homes, farming and for industrial purposes affects a significant portion of the population. To some extent, water shortage can be a source of conflict between communities particularly those that share a supply. Accessibility of water is a significant challenge tha...