Water as a renewable resource

Water is a critical life resource.

• Water covers over two-thirds of the earth’s surface.
• It is found in oceans, seas, lakes, rivers, ice caps, glaciers and in underground aquifers.
• Of the world’s most abundant water resources, only 3% is fresh water and available for human and animal consumption.
• The remaining 97% of the world’s water resources is found in oceans and seas and is too salty for human use.
• Of the 3% fresh water on earth, 2% is found in ice caps and glaciers in solid form, leaving only 1% for human and animal use.
• The world’s expanding population is therefore putting pressure on the 1% available fresh water to meet their consumption demands.
• As the world’s population expands, demand for more goods and service also expands.
• Industrial and agricultural wastes are further reducing the amount of the 1% fresh water available for consumption.
• There is therefore a need to re-examine the world’s water supply, consumption and management in the light of an expanding world population and increasing demands on the resources.
• Although water is a renewable resource it can only replenish itself through the circulation of the hydrological cycle.

To access more topics go to the O Level Geography Notes page