Water EQ3 Flashcards
(43 cards)
What does it mean if somewhere is vulnerable to water insecurity
Less than 2500m3 per capita of available water
What is water stress
When there is less than 1700m3 per capita of available water
What is water scarcity
Less than 1000m3 per capita of available water
What is physical water scarcity
Lack of supply
What is economic water scarcity
Lack of access
What is water insecurity determined by
Availability of water - supply and distribution
Access- freedom to use, income to buy
Usage - entitlement and understanding of water use and health issues
What are the pros of privatisation of water
- water quality generally high
- can make supply meet demand
- can afford to build new infrastructure
What are the cons of privatisation of water supply
- becomes more expensive to make profits
- unaffordable with fluctuating prices
- company control o er supply so not everyone will get even supply
How are water demands predicted to change by 2030
55% increase
40% shortfall in supply
Why is global water demand increasing
Industrialisation and globalisation :
Energy generation - 75% UK water used in energy generation
Food production - will require 140% more water in 2050 due to needing to produce 60% more food
How many people lacked access to safe drinking water in 2016
800million
What does world health org say about water quality and economic gain
Every $1 invested in improving water = $7 or economic gain
What does the water poverty index measure
Monitors progress towards STGs
Measures:
- Resources
- access
- capacity
- use
- environment
What is the water poverty index
A measure or the degree of water shortage and subsequent insecurity problems
Who has the highest and lowest water poverty index score
Canada - 78
Ethiopia - 48
What % of accessible freshwater is being used?
60%
What is salt water encroachment
The process by which salt water contaminates freshwater groundwater by the coast
Occurs naturally but sped up by human activities and climate change
What are natural causes of saltwater encroachment
Salt water is denser than freshwater so can push inland and form a saline wedge below freshwater
This boundary moves inward in dry months and seaward in wetter month s
Which factors add pressure to water supplies
- population growth
- improving living standards
- industrialisation
- agriculture
What are human causes of saltwater encroachment
- groundwater pumping from coastal wells reduces level of fresh groundwater p, allowing saltwater to flow further inland
- navigation channels provide a conduit for saltwater to move inwards
How does climate change cause saltwater encroachment
Global warming causes sea level rise
Increased extreme weather events such as hurricanes worsen saltwater intrusion
What scenario leads to water conflict
- demand for water overtakes available supply and a number of stakeholders use the same diminished resource
- competing demands can lead to conflict within and between countries
How many international ‘events’ were there 1948-2008, and how many led to actual conflict.
How many were over water ?
2000 events
25% led to conflict
2/3 conflicts over water
Examples of political players in water resource issues
International organisations
Regional and local churches
Pressure groups fighting against projects (megadams)
