Water Statistics
Our earth is covered by 71% water. Sounds like a lot doesn’t it? With so much water on this planet why be concerned about turning on the tap and using as much as we want? Well let’s take a closer look at what this 71% is really saying:
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Of that 71%, the salt-water oceans and other large bodies hold approximately 97% of the total water.
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Of the remaining water, 1.6% of the water is below ground in aquifers.
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0.001% is in the air as vapor, clouds and precipitation.
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Glaciers and polar ice caps hold 2.4%.
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Land surface water such as rivers, lakes and ponds makes up only approximately 0.6%.
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A very small amount of the Earth’s water is contained within biological bodies and manufactured products.
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Of the available fresh water approximately 70 percent of Water Conservation is consumed by agriculture to produce food for all of us.
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Some observers have estimated that by 2025 more than half of the world population will be facing water-based vulnerability, a situation which has been called a water crisis by the United Nations.
No matter how you arrange the numbers it sounds grim doesn’t it? Perhaps. The sad fact is that for most people in the industrialized world, more than enough water passes within their grasp to meet the majority of their needs. At least the needs of their outdoor world. Sadly, for most of us in the modern world, it is all to often taken entirely for granted. We turn on the tap and expect it to be there, without so much as a thought of what it takes to get it there or from where it comes. Water, more precious than oil, fine gems or precious metals sustains life and has been attributed as a gift from both God and the gods (little “g”). It is fought over, rationed, monitored and carefully controlled. Yet seldom respected, protected or cherished.
- Source : http://www.onlinegreentips.com
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