4.2 access to freshwater

Question 1

observations of global distribution of freshwater

Answer 1

• not distributed equally
• large resources –> scandinavia, ireland, new zealand
• little resources –> north africa, southern europe
• climate change increases inequalities

Question 2

use of water

Answer 2

• humans use 10 billion tonnes of water per day
• 70% of freshwater used for agriculture, 20% for industry, 10% for household use

Question 3

where do we get freshwater from?

Answer 3

• surface water
• groundwater
• both = renewable but subject to maximum rates of extraction

Question 4

sources of conflict

Answer 4

• over-extraction
• building dams
• pollution

Question 5

nile river water conflict case study

Answer 5

• egypt, ethiopia
• caused by ethiopia’s construction of dam
• egypt fears reduced nile water flow, as they’re downstream

Question 6

how we can meet increasing demand of freshwater

Answer 6

• increasing supply: rainwater harvesting, desalination
• decrease impact of agriculture: switch to crops that require less water
• decrease domestic use: increasing price of water, legislations on water use