Top Story: Water Crisis
By line: Utkarshita Bajpai IX-A
Introduction
The recent Bengaluru water crisis highlights a staggering
shortfall of five hundred million litres of water daily. It is
unfortunate to say that such crises are not just a local problem;
it is part of a global dilemma. Two billion people lack safe
drinking water, with half of the world facing severe scarcity
during at least some part of the year. Climate change and
population growth only intensify the crisis, making urgent
action imperative to avert catastrophe.
How much water is enough?
Imagine standing on the shore, gazing out at the vast expanse of
the ocean stretching as far as the eye can see. It is a breathtaking
sight, and it is easy to fall into the comforting illusion that water
is an infinite resource, endlessly renewable and readily available.
Well, here is a splash of reality: While water does cover 70
percent of Earth's surface, the misconception of plenty quickly
evaporates when we realize that only a mere 3 percent is
freshwater suitable for consumption. 2/3rds of that precious 3% is
buried beneath layers of ice, locked away in glaciers, or simply
exists out of our reach. It is quite clear that just because water
surrounds us does not mean it is readily available for our use. The
concept of water crisis is principally based on supply and
demand. When the balance tips, and demand surges while supply
dwindles, that is when we find ourselves facing a water crisis. As
our world stands on the brink of an extreme water crisis, it is
essential to consider our relationship with this precious resource.
Each of us requires a significant amount of water for our daily
needs, from drinking and cooking to bathing and sanitation. It is
noted that on average 50 to 100 litres of water per person per day
are needed to ensure that the most basic needs are met. However,
we are rapidly approaching a time when even this minimum
requirement may no longer be guaranteed.
Subhead 2 - Water Crises over the years
With population growth, urbanization, pollution, and climate
change placing unprecedented pressure on water sources, we are
teetering on the edge of a precarious situation. With the water
crises around the world, urgency remains key. Rajendra Singh,
known as the Waterman of India, echoes the cries of the planet,
warning us against the havoc wrought by mismanagement and
pollution. It’s now that we come to a chilling realization that we
are on the verge of a scenario so dire that it could spark a conflict
unlike any we've seen before, a World War for water. Recent
proclamations by the United Nations paint a grim picture,
highlighting the potential for World War III, fueled not by
ideologies or territorial disputes, but by the scarcity of this life-
sustaining resource. Water crises go as far back as the 1800’s.
There are many countries in the world like Uganda, Egypt
Kuwait, and Lebanon that are currently battling against water
crises. These water crises have an enormous impact on the people.
It's not just about thirst; it's about survival. Without stable access
to water, entire populations are left vulnerable, and ill-equipped to
climate change. Not to mention, Basic hygiene, education, and
healthcare are all casualties in this struggle for survival.
Subhead 3 – Possible Solutions
With the pressing problem of water crisis, Scientists from every
corner of the globe are uniting on a mission to transform seawater
into drinkable water through a process known as desalination.
1) Jiwoong Lee a professor of the Copehang ’s Department of
Chemistry has discovered a way to use carbon dioxide to
purify the salt from seawater without the use of electricity.
2) Scientists from the Indian Institute of Technology- Madras,
Swinburne University of Technology- Australia and the
Delft university of Technology – The Netherlands came
together to purify water by the process of permutation
capabilities of graphitic carbon materials.
3) Massachusetts Institute of Technology researchers have
created a desalination device, the size of a suitcase. This
compact device requires less power than your average cell
phone charger, offering a portable solution to water scarcity.
This process may change our fate and not lead us to a global
water crisis. But it has its own set of cons for example the
machinery intensively uses fossil fuel energy which in turn
causes global warming. Desalination plants produce chemicals
and toxic byproducts that harm the marine ecosystem and emit
greenhouse gas emissions. Could desalination become our
salvation or lead us down a path of unintended consequences?
Only time will tell.
Conclusion
We can conclude that the water crisis is a multifaceted
challenge that requires immediate attention as well as decisive
actions from governments, and civil society with the help of
the private sector. As one navigates through the complexities of
a water crisis. We must be grateful for this precious life source
that runs our lives. Let us do our part to preserve it for future
generations to cherish.
