WATER SHORTAGE … A GLOBAL PROBLEM

[Anonymous]

Water shortage ‘a global problem’
A
report from the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) warns that rich
countries face increasing water shortages.A combination of climate
change and poor resource management is leading to water shortages in
even the most developed countries, it says.It urges water conservation
on a global scale and asks rich states to set an example by repairing
ageing water infrastructure and tackling pollution.The report was
released in Geneva just ahead of World Water Week.The WWF says economic
wealth does not automatically mean plenty of water.Its report reveals
that some of the world’s wealthiest cities – such as Houston or Sydney
– are using more water than can be replenished.In London leaks from
ageing water mains are wasting 300 Olympic swimming pools’ worth of
water every single day, the WWF says.Meanwhile southern Europe is
becoming drier as a result of climate change and further north Alpine
glaciers – a significant source of water – are shrinking

Knock-on effect
What
is more, the report argues, wealthy countries continue to use up the
water of the developing world.The production of clothing, fruit,
vegetables and even jewellery all need water. And the demand for cheap
produce often encourages wasteful use of scarce water resources.The WWF
is also calling on wealthy countries to encourage more international
co-operation over water because this is the one element no-one can do
without.And while money may be no protection against climate change, it
can at least be invested in preserving the existing fresh water
supplies.

[Author]

August 16, 2006 at 11:43 AM