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Safe water is a basic human right and essential for our health, whether we use it for drinking, food production or hygiene. But it's also a finite resource.
As climate change accelerates the frequency of extreme weather events and higher temperatures, our freshwater supply grows smaller and the risks to people's health greater.
It's one of many reasons why the world is running out of water. From an increasing population that demands more food and energy, to extensive use in agriculture and industry—stress on water is rising.
Most cities have made investments to diversify their water supply and expand conservation efforts, but smaller rural communities that rely on wells are increasingly vulnerable. Many Californians rely on drinking water that may contain chemical contaminants. Drought can further increase these contaminants, while fire damage to the well equipment can add toxic chemicals to the water.
The changing water is already harming people's health. For example, following the 2018 Camp Fire in Butte County—California's most destructive wildfire in history—chemical contamination of the drinking water system resulted in health risks and restrictions on water use. In a survey of more than 200 households following the fire, 54% self-reported that at least one member in their household experienced anxiety, stress or depression in connection with securing safe water and contamination issues.
Extensive drought has led to extreme food insecurity [PDF 34.8MB]. Ngawosa Eregai, a Community Health Worker in Turkana County, says, "The biggest challenge we have is lack of water."
Four or five people have to use their hands to dig deep holes in the ground where the rivers used to be to get to water. "We drink this water because we do not have a choice," says Ngawasa. "We trust that it will not be harmful."
For Esther Elaar, who fetches and carries water for her family to use every day, the four-hour walk weighs on her physical health. "My whole body feels sore," she says. "I usually carry 20 liters of water at a time because the water point is far off."
The long and hot walk to water impacting pregnant women like Esther. Their babies are dying before they're born.
"While carrying water, I feel the baby in my womb moving," Esther says. "A lot of women have miscarried in this area while going to look for water."
It involves implementing strategies such as conserving water and restoring freshwater ecosystems like wetlands. To achieve that, we need immense political action, greater financial investment and a whole-of-society approach.
At Wellcome, we're working with the people most affected by climate change to support critical research, tools and resources. If we act collectively now against climate change, we can protect our water and our health.
Citation:
Is the world running out of freshwater? (2023, December 15)
retrieved 15 December 2023
from https://phys.org/news/2023-12-world-freshwater.html
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