The Global Drinking Water Shortage Essay - 3717 Words

We never know the worth of water till the well is dry. -- Thomas Fuller, Gnomologia #5451 (1732) While it is the single most important substance on earth, we usually don’t think about water other than when we’re thirsty. Most homes have at least two indoor faucets. Almost every public building has water fountains conveniently placed for easy, instant refreshment. Water is simple; it’s always there. Yet despite all this convenience, simplicity, and lack of excitement, water is the most essential part of life. Water is part of every step of†¦show more content†¦Their political power has always insured them exclusive rights to the Nile. In the meantime, Ethiopia has been denied use of its very own river (Thurow A1). Thanks to irrigation systems that have been in place since ancient times, Egyptian farmers grow rich crops in the middle of the dessert while Ethiopians starve to death. But perhaps this could all change. The World Bank, the United States, and other countries traditionally donating food to Ethiopia now realize that Ethiopia should begin sustaining itself. With a half a billion dollars coming from the US alone each year, only because food aid has become outrageously expensive is Ethiopia being granted the permission to use its own natural resources to sustain itself (Thurow A1). The attempt to substitute foreign aid for self-reliance is reminiscent of the old proverb about teaching a man to fish. Sadly, there is yet another complication to the crisis in Northern Africa. The Nile carries more than water. The water running through Ethiopia in the Nile carries nutrients and rich soil with it. The mixture that makes its way into Egypt is natures own perfect blend for agriculture. Egypt’s desert sand alone could never grow the rich crops found along the Nile. Without taking care of the land and soil in Ethiopia by properly cultivating it, the natural fertility of the Nile will diminish. Ironically, if Ethiopia is not allowed to begin real agricultural development, the Nile will beginShow MoreRelatedThe Global Drinking Water Shortage Essay3536 Words   |  15 PagesThe Global Drinking Water Shortage Table of Contents 2 Introduction 3 Year 2000 Opinions 3 Global Warming Issues 5 Technical Advances 6 Academic and Research Interviews 7 Scenarios†¦ 9 Best Case isn’t Utopia 9 The Probably Outcome 11 The Worst Case 12 Conclusions 13 References or Bibliography 14 Introduction Seventy one percent of our planet is covered by water, so it would seem that we could never run out of drinking water. But of that seventy one percent, ninetyRead MoreA Short Note On The Global Water Crisis1220 Words   |  5 PagesGlobal Water Crisis With everyday lives, people take showers, cook, clean, and drink with water. People may not think about it much, but water is very vital to life. Roughly about 97% of the earth is covered with saltwater. 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Earth is running out of fresh water and offers only 0.26% of fresh water resources to utilize and suffice peoples’ needsRead MoreWater Shortage986 Words   |  4 PagesWater Shortage Water shortage problem is when humans or living creatures suffer from a scarcity of water another definition for water shortage is either the lack of enough water or lack of access to safe water and it happens because of the dreadful use of water and polluting rivers, oceans and lakes. Water is the reason for our existence; Water everywhere on the planet is a basic part of the global hydrologic cycle, it s a finite resource. The amount of water supply in the global hydrologicRead MoreWater Pollution and Water Scarcity Essay1309 Words   |  6 Pages Water is essential for humans and organisms to live â€Å"Drinking water, â€Å"2008). Water covers most of the world and makes up more of the world than land. Water comes from different sources. Water may surround us but there are still shortages. Water allows us to live but it could be harmful to our bodies when polluted. Humans and natural disasters can cause damage to the water supply It is important to conserve water whene ver possible (â€Å"Drinking Water, â€Å"2008). Oceans make up two-thirds of the EarthRead MorePrivatization Of Water Is A Human Right1071 Words   |  5 Pages2015 Privatization of Water Water is the most important substance in the universe today, without it people would not be able to continue existence. Water covers most part of our planet, only a small number of the world’s water is fresh water. People need freshwater to drink, bath, irrigate our farm fields, it is incredibly rare. Everyone has the right to require access to enough clean water. Using and drinking clean, safe water is a human right. But the shortage of water resources has become oneRead MoreWater Is Life s Mater And Matrix, Mother And Medium1219 Words   |  5 PagesWater is life s mater and matrix, mother and medium. 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