Water Security (Cambridge (CIE) AS Environmental Management)
Revision Note
Written by: Alistair Marjot
Reviewed by: Bridgette Barrett
Causes of Water Insecurity
Water is unevenly distributed around the globe
There are significant areas of water surplus and water deficit
Around 450 million people in LICs suffer from severe water shortages
Around 1.2 billion live in areas of water scarcity
Physical water scarcity occurs where demand for water outstrips supply, often due to arid climate and low rainfall
Economic water scarcity is where water is available but people can’t afford it or the infrastructure is inadequate
Water Security
The term water security can be defined as the ability to access sufficient quantities of clean water to maintain adequate standards of food and manufacturing of goods, adequate sanitation and sustainable health care
There are many different causes of water insecurity
What Are the Causes of Water Insecurity?
Causes of Water Insecurity
Cause of water insecurity | Explanation |
|---|---|
Climate change | Changes in rainfall patterns and increasing temperatures impact water availability, leading to droughts and floods |
Natural disasters | Droughts and flooding, made worse by climate change, reduce water availability and contaminate water sources - droughts reduce water availability for agriculture, industry and domestic use, while floods contaminate water sources and damage infrastructure |
Pollution events | Industrial discharges, agricultural runoff and untreated sewage pollute water sources, making them unsafe for use and unsuitable for human consumption |
Inadequate sanitation | Lack of proper sanitation facilities and wastewater treatment contaminates water sources, posing health risks such as the spread of waterborne diseases |
Population growth and land usage | Population growth, deforestation and urbanisation increase water demand and alter the water cycle, increasing water scarcity |
Competing demands from various sectors | Agriculture, industry, energy and domestic sectors compete for water resources, leading to overexploitation and rapid depletion of water sources in some regions |
Mismanagement of irrigation | Inefficient irrigation practices lead to soil salinisation, reducing agricultural productivity and increasing water scarcity |
International competition | Disputes over transboundary rivers and aquifers lead to conflicts among neighbouring countries over water allocation and usage right |
Inequality of availability | Disparities in water availability between water-rich and water-poor regions can worsen socioeconomic inequalities and hinder development |
Differing access to safe drinking water | Disparities in access to safe drinking water exist between urban and rural areas, with marginalised communities facing challenges in accessing clean and reliable water sources |
Impacts of Water Insecurity
What Are the Impacts of Water Insecurity?
Reduced crop yield and crop failure:
Water scarcity limits irrigation for agricultural crops, resulting in reduced yields and crop failure
Lack of water leads to stunted plant growth, wilting and decreased productivity, impacting food production and livelihoods
Livestock death:
Water scarcity affects access to drinking water for livestock, leading to dehydration, reduced milk production and, ultimately, death
Limited water availability also affects the availability of fodder and grazing land, further impacting livestock health and productivity
Food shortages, malnutrition and famine:
Water insecurity contributes to food shortages and inadequate nutrition, particularly in regions heavily reliant on rain-fed agriculture
Reduced crop yields and livestock productivity lead to food scarcity, malnutrition and famine, increasing poverty and socio-economic inequalities
Illness caused by contaminated drinking water:
Waterborne diseases such as diarrhoea and cholera are prevalent in areas with inadequate access to clean drinking water
Contaminated water sources contain pathogens, leading to outbreaks of waterborne illnesses and widespread health impacts, particularly among children and vulnerable populations such as the elderly
Diarrhoea
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Treatment |
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Cholera
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