Water Security and Scarcity

What is Water Security?

Having access to sufficient amounts of safe drinking water for human well-being.

What is Water Scarcity?

The limited availability of water to human societies.

What are the two main types of water scarcity?

1. Physical Scarcity; 2. Economic Scarcity

Describe Physical Scarcity and provide an example.

A lack of water due to low rainfall, few natural water resources, overuse, or high temperatures causing evaporation. Example: The arid Sahara Desert, which receives less than 100mm of rain per year.

Describe Economic Scarcity and where it is most common.

Occurs when there is enough water available, but people cannot access it due to poor infrastructure, weak governance, or lack of financial resources. It is most common in Less Economically Developed Countries (LEDCs).

What are the primary human uses of water?

Most water is used for agriculture, industry, and electricity production. Direct uses include bathing, drinking, and cooking.

What two main factors are putting pressure on the Earth's hydrological system?

1. Growing human populations; 2. Exponential economic growth. These lead to pollution and overextraction.

What is United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6)?

To ensure access to clean water and sanitation for all.

How does the Doughnut Economics model relate to water?

Human need for water is part of the social foundation (inner ring), while the planet's finite water resources represent the ecological ceiling (outer ring) that we should not overuse.

What are the three main factors that threaten water security?

1. Reduced availability of water (due to climate change, deforestation, unsustainable use); 2. Unequitable access to / distribution of freshwater; 3. Reduced water quality (e.g., pollution)

What are the four key factors that impact equitable water access?

1. Socio-economic factors; 2. Political factors; 3. Cultural factors; 4. Social factors

How do Socio-economic factors affect water access?

Higher incomes correlate with better access (In countries with GDP per capita of $10,000-$15,000, over 90% of households typically have access); Urban growth (births, migration) and economic activity increase demand; Lower-income groups may not be able to afford water as demand outstrips supply, causing prices to rise; Temporary migrant settlements often lack infrastructure, leading to contamination of local water sources.

How do Cultural factors influence water access and use?

Norms & Traditions: Water-intensive crops like rice may be culturally important, leading to overuse; Religious Beliefs: The sacred River Ganges in India is used for religious ceremonies, which exacerbates industrial pollution; Conservation Values: The Blackfeet people in North America view water as sacred and aim to conserve it for future generations; Perceptions of Ownership: Cultural ideas about water rights affect how communities share and manage it.

How do Political factors affect water access?

Allocation of water rights and governance are political decisions; Political interests often prioritize industrial or agricultural use over equitable access for individuals; Corrupt governance can hinder fair allocation; Good Governance: Impartial political processes and international agreements can promote equitable access and sustainability.

What key statistics describe the global freshwater situation?

2.5% of Earth's water is freshwater; Of that 2.5%, 70% is frozen in ice/snow and 30% is usable; 1 in 4 people on the planet do not have access to clean drinking water; 80% of all illness in the developing world is water-related; Every 20 seconds, one child dies due to poor sanitation.