Climate change and city growth have a big effect on how much water we have. This creates many problems with water resources and how we manage them.
Warmer Temperatures: Since the late 1800s, average global temperatures have gone up by about 1.2°C. This makes water evaporate faster. As a result, rivers can have less water, which makes it harder for people to get the water they need.
Changes in Rainfall: Climate change has changed how and when it rains. We now have heavy rainstorms in some places while others face long dry spells. For example, parts of Southern Europe might see 20-30% less rain by 2050, which would make water hard to find.
Melting Ice: Glaciers are important because they provide fresh water for around 1.5 billion people. Sadly, these glaciers are melting quickly. The Himalayas might lose 30% of their ice by 2100, which would affect water sources for everyone living downstream.
More Water Needs: As more people move to cities, the need for water increases. By 2030, it's expected that urban areas will have over 5 billion people, putting a lot of pressure on local water supplies.
Water Pollution: Cities create a lot of water pollution, which harms our freshwater. About 70% of global water pollution comes from urban areas. For instance, when it rains, the water that runs off the streets can carry harmful waste into rivers and lakes.
Hard Surfaces: When cities grow, more areas become hard surfaces like roads and buildings. This stops water from soaking into the ground and refilling underground water reserves. Studies have shown that urban growth can lower groundwater levels by up to 60%.
All of these issues make water shortages worse, creating serious challenges for managing our water resources in a smart and sustainable way.
Climate change and city growth have a big effect on how much water we have. This creates many problems with water resources and how we manage them.
Warmer Temperatures: Since the late 1800s, average global temperatures have gone up by about 1.2°C. This makes water evaporate faster. As a result, rivers can have less water, which makes it harder for people to get the water they need.
Changes in Rainfall: Climate change has changed how and when it rains. We now have heavy rainstorms in some places while others face long dry spells. For example, parts of Southern Europe might see 20-30% less rain by 2050, which would make water hard to find.
Melting Ice: Glaciers are important because they provide fresh water for around 1.5 billion people. Sadly, these glaciers are melting quickly. The Himalayas might lose 30% of their ice by 2100, which would affect water sources for everyone living downstream.
More Water Needs: As more people move to cities, the need for water increases. By 2030, it's expected that urban areas will have over 5 billion people, putting a lot of pressure on local water supplies.
Water Pollution: Cities create a lot of water pollution, which harms our freshwater. About 70% of global water pollution comes from urban areas. For instance, when it rains, the water that runs off the streets can carry harmful waste into rivers and lakes.
Hard Surfaces: When cities grow, more areas become hard surfaces like roads and buildings. This stops water from soaking into the ground and refilling underground water reserves. Studies have shown that urban growth can lower groundwater levels by up to 60%.
All of these issues make water shortages worse, creating serious challenges for managing our water resources in a smart and sustainable way.