If there is such abundance of water on the planet, why is there so much talk of 'water scarcity' or a 'water crisis'?
Although water covers almost three-fourths of the Earth's surface, most of this water is seawater, which is salty and unfit for consumption by most land animals, including humans.
Freshwater makes up only a very small proportion of the planet's water resources and is found in glaciers, rivers, lakes, the atmosphere, and underground (groundwater).
The limited freshwater resources are further strained by growing human population, pollution, and unequal distribution, leading to water scarcity in many regions despite the abundance of seawater.
Explanation
The chapter explains that 'The oceans together hold most of the water available on the planet. But this seawater is salty and unfit for consumption by most land animals, including humans. On the other hand, freshwater makes up a very small proportion of the planet's water resources.' This creates a paradox where there is abundant water overall but scarcity of usable freshwater.
Solution Steps
Water covers three-fourths of Earth's surface, but most is salty seawater unfit for human consumption
Freshwater makes up only a small proportion of the planet's water resources
Freshwater sources include glaciers, rivers, lakes, atmosphere, and groundwater
Limited freshwater is strained by growing population, pollution, and unequal distribution
These factors create water scarcity despite overall abundance of water on Earth