When the Earth's well runs dry |
Beneath our very feet, a silent crisis is unfolding. Unseen, unheeded, the Earth is running out of freshwater.
The global groundwater scarcity already affects 6 billion people worldwide, chiefly farmers and the careless inhabitants of megacities.
Groundwater supplies 99% of all the liquid freshwater used by humanity, primarily for drinking, food production, energy production and industry. Many rivers and lakes would be empty without it.
Groundwater is being depleted at an alarming rate, scientists warn. This unsustainable practice is leading to a decline in water levels in aquifers worldwide, particularly in drier regions where reliance on pumped groundwater is high.
“Climate, wars, pandemics and recessions all threaten our society’s future - but the most immediate threat is disappearing fresh water,” says eminent Canadian hydrologist, John Cherry. “Groundwater supplies nearly half the global population with drinking water and supports 70% of irrigation agriculture. Eight of the 17 UN Sustainability Goals are dependent on groundwater. With drought, groundwater is the only water for food production in many countries - and many drinking water wells go dry.”
The main threats to groundwater are:
Over-extraction: Excessive pumping of groundwater for irrigation and city use has caused major depletion of aquifers. In many regions, groundwater is being extracted much faster than it naturally replenishes, resulting in a decline in total freshwater availability both to the landscapes and for human food, drink and other uses.
Climate Change: Changes in climate and global drying lead to higher evaporation rates and spreading deserts. Lower rainfall in drying regions means reduced recharge of groundwater. As temperatures rise, demand for irrigation increases, leading to even greater extraction.
Population Growth: The growing global population intensifies the demand for water, particularly in farming areas and megacities, leading to growing conflict between the human needs to eat and drink.
Pollution: Contamination of groundwater with industrial chemicals, oil spills, fertilisers,........