Conserving the world’s water
Water is undoubtedly the planet’s most valued resource, we need it as much as we need air to breathe. Nevertheless, it is becoming ever more scarce. Fresh water can be described as renewable resource, yet the global availability of unpolluted, fresh water is gradually lessening. Whilst we seem to have an abundant water supply, 97% of the billion plus cubic kilometres of water on the planet is ocean. Nearly all of of the remaining three percent is permanently captured in glaciers at the two poles. Now this will mean merely a tiny fraction of the global water resources are usable as fresh water. The available water moves around in a permanent cycle by means of evaporation and rain fall. Presently there are problems with the quality of drinking water as growing water pollution caused by nitrates, phosphates, pesticides and further damaging chemicals is making purification progressively more problematic and costly. The need for water already exceeds availability in quite a few regions of the world and as the earth’s population carries on growing, so too does the need for water. Recognition of the worldwide importance of preserving water for environment services has only lately emerged. This is because in the course of the 20th century, approximately 50 % of the world’s wetlands have been lost coupled with their vital ecological support systems. Freshwater ecosystems,with their unique biodiversity, are currently declining more rapidly than marine or land ecosystems. Conserving water and making optimum use of it is these days a priority for people around the earth. On a domestic level we can all help ease the situation by being careful in our use of water and by harvesting rainwater in rainwater tanks.