Of the 71% of Earth covered in water, only about .0007% of it is available to humans as usable freshwater – the water we drink, irrigate our crops, take care of our livestock, etc. – the other water is saltwater, or trapped in glaciers. Even with that .0007%, which is not an insignificant number, 14 out of 20 of the world’s biggest cities are currently experiencing water scarcity or drought.

The planet is currently experiencing significant water crises. Cape Town, South Africa experienced their “Day Zero” in March 2018, where a major drought hit, water was rationed, and massive unrest broke out. São Paulo experienced a two-year drought starting in 2015. Barcelona was so dry in 2008 that they had to barge in water from France, it was the worst drought seen since they began keeping records. Southern Australia had what they termed a “Millennial Drought” which started with low rainfall in 1996 and then for 8 years they experienced a “Death-Valley” -like drought and ended in 2010.

The NY Times is already reporting that January 2020 was the hottest month on record with there being a 50% chance that 2020 will be the hottest year on record. Droughts have always come and go throughout history, but with the Earth heating up to record temperatures, these droughts will continually rise in length and intensity of effects. The management of our freshwater sources is a neglected, but increasingly more paramount, concern.

Travis Dawe and Aaron Kotulek

Sources:

Fountain, Henry. “Warmest January Ever Puts 2020 on Track to Be One of Top 10 Hottest Years.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 20 Feb. 2020, www.nytimes.com/2020/02/20/climate/global-temperatures-climate-change.html?action=click&module=Well&pgtype=Homepage§ion.

 WALLACE-WELLS, DAVID. UNINHABITABLE EARTH: Life after Warming. TIM DUGGAN BOOKS, 2020.