Eugene S. Takle
© 2003
Over one billion people (about 1/6 of the world's population) are forced to drink water contaminated by human waste. Millions more have insufficient water for basic needs, for agricultural purposes, or for industrial development, according to Aldhous (2003). To call attention to the problem, the United Nations has declared 2003 the International Year of Freshwater. Over the next two decades, the average supply of fresh water per person will drop by one third, with enhanced hunger and disease following close behind. Clarke (2003) points out that the lack of safe fresh water is not always due to a lack of water, per se. In Bangladesh, natural cycles of flood and drought due to the monsoon climate create feast and famine with water supplies. Wells installed to cope with lack of water during dry periods have produced high levels of arsenic that have led to lesions and cancer. In other locations, river diversion has led to salt water intrusion, contamination of local freshwater supplies, and increased incidence of cholera. This region also will be one of the most vulnerable to any rise in global sea level that may occur for any reason, including global climate change.
References
Aldhous, P., 2003: The world's forgotten crisis. Nature, 422, 251-253.
Clarke, T., 2003: Delta blues. Nature, 422, 254-256.