In the West people take water for granted. Turn on the tap and voila! But are we really blessed with "good" and safe water? And what about those who do not have access to water at all?
The Guardian in a piece "Human impact on world's rivers 'threatens water security of 5 billion'" reports on the realities of the water-situation in an ever-increasing planet under threat:
"The world's rivers are so badly affected by human activity that the water security of almost 5 billion people, and the survival of thousands of aquatic species, are threatened, scientists warned.
The study, conducted by institutions across the globe, is the first to simultaneously look at all types of human intervention on freshwater – from dams and reservoirs to irrigation and pollution. It paints a devastating picture of a world whose rivers are in serious decline.
While developing countries are suffering from threats to both water security and biodiversity, particularly in Africa and central Asia, the authors were surprised by the level of threat posed to wildlife in rich countries.
"What made our jaws drop is that some of the highest threat levels in the world are in the United States and Europe," said Prof Peter McIntyre, one of the lead authors, who began the project as a Smith Fellow at the University of Michigan.
"Americans tend to think water pollution problems are pretty well under control, but we still face enormous challenges."
The Guardian in a piece "Human impact on world's rivers 'threatens water security of 5 billion'" reports on the realities of the water-situation in an ever-increasing planet under threat:
"The world's rivers are so badly affected by human activity that the water security of almost 5 billion people, and the survival of thousands of aquatic species, are threatened, scientists warned.
The study, conducted by institutions across the globe, is the first to simultaneously look at all types of human intervention on freshwater – from dams and reservoirs to irrigation and pollution. It paints a devastating picture of a world whose rivers are in serious decline.
While developing countries are suffering from threats to both water security and biodiversity, particularly in Africa and central Asia, the authors were surprised by the level of threat posed to wildlife in rich countries.
"What made our jaws drop is that some of the highest threat levels in the world are in the United States and Europe," said Prof Peter McIntyre, one of the lead authors, who began the project as a Smith Fellow at the University of Michigan.
"Americans tend to think water pollution problems are pretty well under control, but we still face enormous challenges."
Comments