Planet Earth is very rich in natural resources: oil, coal, natural gas, precious metals. And more than one millennium people have been using these gifts.
Some of them are valued very highly, they are valued, they are careful and prudent, and sometimes they do not even think about the value of others, and they begin to appreciate only by losing.
Is water more expensive than gold?
The answer is simple - water, or rather, fresh clean water. Everyone knows examples of the disappearance of small rivers, lakes, pollution of water bodies, but for some reason this does not cause unrest. Most people simply do not think about the value of water and consider it a renewable resource. The naivety of these misconceptions can have irreparable consequences. Already, 1/3 of the entire population is experiencing a shortage of fresh water and with each passing hour the problem is only becoming more global.
The amount of water in the world
Many people wonder why this problem arises, because there is so much water. Indeed, the surface of the entire planet for 4/5 consists of water (this is one of the most common compounds, the volume of the world's oceans is approximately 1.3300 billion cubic meters of water). The presence of this fact allows people to believe that the supply of fresh water is inexhaustible. But, unfortunately, this is not so. 97% of the water is in the seas and oceans (seawater unsuitable for consumption) and only 3% is fresh water. But it is worth noting that only 1% of the total volume is available to humanity for use.
Where does the water go?
The bulk of fresh water (more than 65%) is concentrated in the glaciers of Antarctica. But do you know that due to global warming, this stock is rapidly decreasing? Which, of course, is a great danger to all living things.
It is hard to imagine how much water is used every day. On average, a person uses about 200 liters. Multiplying this number by the total number of people inhabiting the Earth, we get more than 1,400,000,000 tons - these are just household expenses, and if you take into account industry, the figure will increase rapidly. People began to forget that it was necessary to preserve not only rare species of animals and plants, but it was also very important to preserve water, without which life is impossible.
What to expect?
Forecasts are not comforting, water reserves are not at all unlimited, and they are already exhausted. Studies show that over the next 10 years, most of the world's countries will feel a lack of water, and after 20 years already, 75% of the entire population will be left without fresh water. The deficit will no doubt increase if measures are not taken now. The main problem is the pollution of fresh water by industrial emissions, fertilizers from the fields, the penetration of salt water in coastal areas, as well as irrational use, which, in turn, leads to the fact that groundwater does not have time to renew and its level gradually decreases.
The value of water for humans
Every day a person throughout life needs water. It is needed for drinking and cooking, to maintain cleanliness and hygiene.Without water, you can live no more than 5 days, otherwise, as a result of dehydration in the body, a failure occurs in the robot of all organs and systems. That is why everyone needs to consume at least 1.5 liters of pure water. Decreasing water supplies is a direct threat to people. To avoid it, we must act now.
Ways to save water
You are mistaken in thinking that nothing depends on you. Start saving water. There are simple and very effective ways. Here are a few of them:
- Use the economy mode during washing, and do not turn on the washing machine when the load is incomplete
- When you wash your hands, a lot of water is wasted for free during their soaping, it just flows unnecessarily. You can simply turn off the tap before soaping, it may be inconvenient. But now, after all, there are cranes with levers, as well as cranes with motion sensors that block the water immediately, as you remove your hands
- Monitor the condition of pipes, taps, tank. It may seem to you that this is not so important, but even a small leakage consumes about 300 liters. per month!
- When watering plants, use drip irrigation
- Replace the shower with a shower, and when you take a shower, reduce the pressure
- When brushing your teeth, be careful not to spill water in vain
- Use the toilet for its intended purpose, do not throw small garbage there
- For washing dishes, it is more economical to use a dishwasher, provided that you fully load it.
All in your hands
It seems to everyone that the reserves are endless or that there is always a way out. It is possible, because the problem is already working.Now desalination costs from $ 2.5 to $ 4.5 per cubic meter. In addition, scientists believe that mass desalination can lead to a violation of the ecological balance. It may seem that everything is not so global that there will be enough water for our century. But everyone should think about what he will leave to his children and grandchildren, and each time opening the tap to the end, ask himself this question.
