Perfecting Youth

Author(s): Udayvallabhvijay
Publisher: Samkit Yuvak Mandal

Page 33

Crin nal Waste
Water
A man travelling in a steamer got in trouble amidst the sea. He was compelled to leave the steamer and taking a small boat, was at a loss of direction in the pacific. He couldn't get to the shore for about 60 days. He ran short of drinkable water inspite of being surrounded by water all the way. He has narrated the story with a title “60 days in Pacific". This makes you feel the intense necessity for water in life. Just like food, water is another resource being wasted. On one side the countries across the world gear up to mark a world water day on 22 March and on the other hand water is wasted in a thoughtless manner. Water covers 75 per cent of the Earth's surface.
97.5 per cent of that is salt water, only 2.5 per cent is fresh, sweet and potable water. Icecaps and glaciers hold 74 per cent of the world's freshwater. Almost all the rest is deep underground, or locked in soil as moisture or permafrost. Only 0.3 per cent of the world's freshwater is found in rivers or lakes. Within 25 years, half the world's population could have trouble, finding enough fresh water for drinking and irrigation. Currently, over 80 countries, representing 40 per cent of the world's people, are facing serious water shortages. Conditions may get worse in the next 50 years, as population grows and as global warming disrupts rainfall patterns. A third of the world lives in water stressed areas where consumption outstrips supply. West Asia
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