Throughout human history, the development of large civilizations was possible due to the direct access and possession of an abundance of fresh water. However, as the world’s population continues to expand—by 4 billion in the last 50 years alone—our large civilizations are headed towards lengthy periods of water stress, scarcity, and finally crisis.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations has predicted that by 2025, 1.9 billion people will be living in regions with absolute water scarcity, with a further two-thirds of the world’s population potentially living under stress conditions. Water stress, scarcity, and crisis are varying levels on the availability of fresh water within a region. Scarcity denotes a distinct imbalance between the supply and demand of available water.
Though the eventual global solution potentially lies in discovering new methods of purification, conservation of current water supplies is the immediate key to maintaining our civilizations. This begins on an individual level, using techniques and practices in our homes and gardens. In the coming posts we will cover specific methods such as xeriscaping, ecologically native plants, and even replacing water-costly lawns with sustainable kitchen gardens.
Making conservation a part of your very lifestyle is crucial to the long-term preservation of our water supply. One person simply being mindful of their water consumption may not have an immediate impact, but one billion people sharing a mindset, a lifestyle of conservation could make all the difference.