The Water Crisis and Climate Change

The latest Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC, 2007a) projects that global average temperatures in 2100 will be between 1.8-4.0 °C higher than the 1980-2000 average (best estimate, likely range 1.1-6.4 °C). The main climate change consequences related to water resources are increases in temperature, shifts in precipitation patterns and snow cover, an increase in the frequency of flooding and droughts, and the possible large impact of future sea-level rises.

Climate change also aggravates the water crisis increasingly felt in many places around the world. Because Climate change can affect the quantitative and qualitative status of water resources by altering hydrological cycles and systems which, in turn, affect variables including:
- water availability and demand;
- water quality, including temperature and nutrient content.

In the unusual case of the 20th century, the world saw the biggest increase in its population in human history. As we know, Human beings, animals and plants, all living creatures on Earth need water to live and grow. Certainly, Worlds growing population will need more water. Year 2025 forecasts state that two thirds of the world population will be without safe drinking water and basic sanitation services. Consequently, disease and significant deaths arise from people using contaminated water supplies; these effects are particularly pronounced for children in underdeveloped countries, where 3900 children per day die of diarrhea alone. Then, more than five million people die from waterborne diseases each year - 10 times the number killed in wars around the globe. There are significant health impacts of water shortages. According to the World Bank, 88 percent of all diseases are caused by unsafe drinking water, inadequate sanitation and poor hygiene

How do we find a solution? One would be finding more ways to use waste water and salt water, for example, Reuse "gray" water. This is water from cooking, bathing, etc. It can be used to water your plants or lawn. Fighting water pollution, We should plant more trees to help the water cycle of the nature, We should teach ourselves and our friends about the benefits of conserving water. This can include conducting community awareness programmes which can be conducted in schools and colleges, Think and reduce daily unnecessary water consumption. We should research politicians and vote and campaign for those who are concerned about the environment and have worked for change in the past. Donate money, volunteer, or work for environmental organizations like Greenpeace or organizations such as Global Water that help people in third world countries receive clean water.