Access to Fresh Water (DP IB Environmental Systems & Societies (ESS): SL)

Evaluate the sustainability of desalinisation as a water management strategy to improve access to freshwater resources in a society.

Describe how the availability of freshwater resources is being impacted by climate change.

Outline two water management strategies, other than desalinisation and rainwater harvesting, that can reduce water scarcity. 

The figure below shows the global water demand by sector for 2023, as well as the projected demands for 2040 and 2055.

i)

Calculate the percentage of water projected to be used for agriculture in 2040, as shown in the figure above. Show your working.

[2]

ii)

State two reasons for the projected decrease in the demand for water in agriculture between 2023 and 2040.

[2]

i)

State the overall trend in total global water demand between 2023 and 2055.

[1]

ii)

Outline three factors contributing to this projected change.

[3]

Explain why conflicts over fresh water are becoming an increasingly frequent occurrence between human populations.

Predict how technocentric and ecocentric viewpoints would differ regarding the construction and installation of dams.

Evaluate the sustainability of rainwater harvesting as a water management strategy to improve access to freshwater resources in a society.

Evaluate the following statement:

"Water scarcity problems are best addressed through technological developments, rather than through changing human behaviour."