Water is Life. That’s the name of a group that works tirelessly to create awareness about water and its importance among communities across the world. The organization has chapters in many countries, including the United States, India, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. Their primary focus is to help people understand that water is life and not something that should be viewed as a commodity. We have listed some amazing facts about water to help you understand its importance in our lives.
Water is the only substance on Earth that is known to sustain life.
Water is considered to be the most abundant substance on this planet. Out of the entire planet’s water, the oceans contain 97% of all the water and glaciers, ice, and other frozen forms. The only part of our planet where water is known to sustain life is the freshwater that is found in lakes, rivers, and other sources. Apart from sustaining life, water also cleanses our bodies. It flushes out toxins, dust, and harmful substances. It also helps in regulating our body temperature by keeping us cool in summers and warm during winters. Water is also an important source of generating hydroelectricity, which is the largest source of renewable energy. Water further provides food and fiber through its cultivation in the form of crops and fisheries.
3/4th of the human body is made up of water.
Water is the single most important substance in the human body. The average adult human body contains approximately 60% water. Every cell in the body and organ is composed of water. Water also helps in lubricating joints and keeps your heart beating efficiently. This is just one example of the many ways that water is essential in maintaining human health. Water is essential for proper digestion and healthy bowel movement. It is required by the muscles that allow you to walk, run, and exercise. It is needed for healthy and youthful-looking skin. It keeps your eyes hydrated and prevents eye diseases like glaucoma and cataract.
Every 2 seconds, 8 people die from lack of water.
Water is life and water is also death. Unfortunately, a large number of deaths across the world are caused due to lack of clean water. A WHO report in 2015 states that approximately 8 people die every 2 seconds due to a lack of clean drinking water. Out of those 8 people, approximately 1 person is a child. According to the same report, approximately 7 million people die each year due to water-borne diseases such as diarrhea, cholera, dysentery, typhoid, and other infectious diseases. The most surprising fact is that almost 90% of these deaths occur in Africa and Asia. These deaths are caused by a lack of clean drinking water and hygiene in these areas.
Only 1 out of 10 people have access to clean and safe drinking water.
Think about the number that we just discussed: 8 people die every 2 seconds due to a lack of clean drinking water. This is one of the most important reasons why we should be concerned about the state of our water supply. Only 1 out of 10 people have access to clean and safe drinking water. This is terrible and something that we as humans should be ashamed of. The majority of deaths due to a lack of clean drinking water are in areas where there is the least amount of water in the first place. Areas such as sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia are the worst hit. On the other hand, areas like North America, Australia, and Europe have excellent water supply systems.
By 2025, half of the world’s population will be facing a serious water shortage.
Water is life and water shortage can lead to death. We have discussed the fact that 8 people die every 2 seconds due to a lack of clean drinking water. However, a report published in the journal Nature suggests that the situation might get even worse in the future. By 2025, it is predicted that half of the world’s population will be facing a serious water shortage. The total water demand is expected to rise by approximately 50% in this period. This is because of the growing population, an increase in agriculture, and an increase in the demand for water for industrial and domestic purposes. One of the biggest threats to our water supply is the rise in sea levels caused by climate change. This is because as the sea levels rise, they will flood coastal areas and contaminate the water supply. Apart from this, many other factors are contributing to the depletion of our water supply.
There are many more such facts that show how important it is to conserve and protect our supply of water.
As we can see, water is vital for survival. It is the most important factor that sustains all life on our planet. However, it is being polluted, contaminated, and misused at an alarming rate. We need to stop thinking of water as a commodity and start viewing it as a resource that sustains life. We can do this by taking small changes in our lifestyles. We can start by taking shorter showers, doing our laundry with eco-friendly detergents, and efficiently using our appliances. We can also install water-efficient devices at home and use eco-friendly water treatment systems. These are small changes that can have a big impact on our environment.