The Impending Water Crisis

[Seemingly Useless]

Water is a natural resource that we all take for granted but contrary to popular belief, water is actually a scarce commodity. Wars are currently being fought over water and I think it is important that people get educated on topic. If nothing is done, water prices can go the same path as oil and gasoline prices.

I wrote an in-depth article concerning the impending water crisis and if you agree with what I wrote, please pass it on. The way to help stop this crisis is to get educated, conserve water, vote and spread the word.

Here is the link to the specific article: Seemingly Useless: Water? No More?! - The Scarcity of Life's Essence

[Richard]

I think you could have mentioned that water shortage issues are more local and regional problems rather than global (as is, for example, oil scarcity). Water is not generally an international traded commodity and so if a North American or Western European conserves water, it doesn't mean there will be more available in, for example, the Middle East.

Also some references would have been good, would make the article more robust in terms of criticism.

[forfismum]

Remember all the ideas some years back for floating icebergs to the persian Gulf ? Don't know if the deal included the odd polar bear but it came to nowt just like the UK grid,but that one had some merit and could be done with wind mills.Maybe our first poster here could give some details ?Lobbing in links to ones own site is not the done thing.

[Seemingly Useless]

Originally Posted by Richard

I think you could have mentioned that water shortage issues are more local and regional problems rather than global (as is, for example, oil scarcity). Water is not generally an international traded commodity and so if a North American or Western European conserves water, it doesn't mean there will be more available in, for example, the Middle East.

Also some references would have been good, would make the article more robust in terms of criticism.

The hydrological cycle has no boundaries, so water that is tainted in North America will eventually mean less water for everyone in the world. Although it is true that some regions have more access to freshwater than others, the total amount of potable water remains constant. If we decrease that amount, all regions will suffer.

As for references, I usually try to put the reference for any important statistic I can find. Since I don't have a bibliography section, I usually try to link to sites that do have bibliographies. If there is any particular fact that you need referenced, please email me at seeminglyuseless@gmail.com and I will be happy to try to find it for you. Also feel free to leave comments like your own on my blog as well so other can benefit from your insights.

[Seemingly Useless]

Originally Posted by forfismum

Remember all the ideas some years back for floating icebergs to the persian Gulf ? Don't know if the deal included the odd polar bear but it came to nowt just like the UK grid,but that one had some merit and could be done with wind mills.Maybe our first poster here could give some details ?Lobbing in links to ones own site is not the done thing.

I am not trying to promote my own site but rather I feel that the article is an easy to read introduction based on much research into the water crisis. For people uninterested in the issue, it is probably more helpful to post one encompassing link than to post 15 links. Of course if they become interested and want to do more in depth reading into a particular issue concerning the water problem, there are various other links I can put up (email: seeminglyuseless@gmail.com). I haven't heard anything about floating ice bergs into the persian gulf (i guess they'll have to helicopter it some how) but when the water evaporates, it'll just end up back to where it came from. Global warming also has a big effect on water supply although I didn't get a chance to discuss it in this article. I will probably write a follow up article concerning global warming and water related diseases. For now, I'm just trying to get the word out on this very real issue.

[forfismum]

Originally Posted by Seemingly Useless

The hydrological cycle has no boundaries, so water that is tainted in North America will eventually mean less water for everyone in the world. Although it is true that some regions have more access to freshwater than others, the total amount of potable water remains constant. If we decrease that amount, all regions will suffer.

My God ,then we are all doomed?

[forfismum]

Originally Posted by Seemingly Useless

I am not trying to promote my own site but rather I feel that the article is an easy to read introduction based on much research into the water crisis. For people uninterested in the issue, it is probably more helpful to post one encompassing link than to post 15 links. Of course if they become interested and want to do more in depth reading into a particular issue concerning the water problem, there are various other links I can put up (email: seeminglyuseless@gmail.com). I haven't heard anything about floating ice bergs into the persian gulf (i guess they'll have to helicopter it some how) but when the water evaporates, it'll just end up back to where it came from. Global warming also has a big effect on water supply although I didn't get a chance to discuss it in this article. I will probably write a follow up article concerning global warming and water related diseases. For now, I'm just trying to get the word out on this very real issue.

Maybe your research has not been as in depth as you portray? Do you intend to make a career in this field?

[Seemingly Useless]

Originally Posted by forfismum

Maybe your research has not been as in depth as you portray? Do you intend to make a career in this field?

I did do a good amount of research but you're right, it can definitely be more in depth. The only thing is its hard to go in depth in a blog article without it becoming 20 plus pages. I just want to raise awareness about the issue. I am definitely not even close to being an expert on this problem but I have read the works of many people who are and it moved me to write an article that is easier for most people to read. I'm not sure if I intend to make a career in this field but I do know that I will continue to push for education of the world's water situation. Before writing this article, I was just as ignorant as many of the people I am trying to reach. It wasn't that I didn't care but rather because I wasn't aware that there was a problem. Water is cheap where I live but it is also constantly being wasted. There are many things that regular people can do. The point of posting on this forum is so other people can give their inputs too on the situation. Perhaps bring into light other facts or examples related to the water problem like you did with the polar ice caps and the middle east.

[forfismum]

I was ,of course, being sarcastic.

[Richard]

Originally Posted by Seemingly Useless

The hydrological cycle has no boundaries, so water that is tainted in North America will eventually mean less water for everyone in the world. Although it is true that some regions have more access to freshwater than others, the total amount of potable water remains constant. If we decrease that amount, all regions will suffer.

The hydrological cycle does have boundaries, especially with regards to fresh water resources. You need to read a bit about hydrological catchments and hydrological basins.

Also, the amount of potable water isn't constant. The amount of fresh water may be relatively constant but much of this doesn't reach drinking water quality standards and so has to be treated to potable standards. Potable water is largely artificially produced nowadays in water treatment plants.