|
|
I was sitting in my second hour American History class. I had just finished a test on the Legislative Branch of the Constitution, and after tests we aren't allowed to do anything but read. That day I had forgotten my book I was reading, so I picked up a Scholastic Upfront magazine from the table next to my teacher's desk and sat back down at my desk and began to read it. I opened the front page to a picture that really surprised me. An Indian farmer was standing in a barren, cracked and dried out wasteland that used to be his once fertile fields.
I was aware of water shortages around the world. I knew they were bad in India and Africa especially, but I didn't know the shortages were this bad. Fresh drinking water in India is becoming increasingly scarce with global warming. It's not just affecting the penguins and polar bears in Antarctica, but those in the tropics as well.
According to recent studies, scientists say that at the rate of water shortages, about 3 billion people will live below the water threshold by 2025. Also, by 2025 the fresh water availability is due to drop 44%, due to population growth and a higher demand, and lesser supply. This crisis is not only affecting India, but many other developing third world countries.
I never really ever noticed this as a big problem, because when I go to India, we don't usually go to the rural parts, only the big cities. But now that I know what's going on, I know I can do my part to help and so can you. Along with population incline, drought is a primary cause of water shortages, due to global warming and climate change. To help stop water shortages, you can conserve water by doing things such as fixing leaky faucets or placing a bucket or dish below them so you can save the water, cut down on plastic water bottles and harvesting rain water by using rain barrels. You can even help with little things, like turning the water off while you're brushing your teeth. You can suggest these things to your family and friends as well if they aren't all ready doing them.
Please help in any possible way, big or small. Together, we can eliminate water shortages in disadvantaged countries, one step at a time.
Thanks for reading! This is cbeatles, off to save the world!
Author's Note: Sources:
www.TreeHugger.com
Scholastic Upfront Magazine
|
