water insecurity- consequences

• water supply important for economic development

  • energy secuirty- many types of power stations water is heated to generate steam which drives turbines that generate electricity, also used in fracking and development of biofuel crops
  • indutry- factories use water for all kinds of products eg for cooling machinary
  • trade- waterways and man-made canals enable the transport of goods within and between countries
• water supply important for human wellbeing

  • health and wellbeing relies on safe and plentiful water, in 2021 nearly 800 million people world wide still didnt have access to clean water
  • lack of an effective sewage system in country means human waste enters water course and diseases eg cholera- limits amount of usable water- can be fatal
  • clean water supply needed to prepare food in safe manner eg wash fruit and veg
• problems with water supply- causes economic problems

  • poor countries in dry areas struggle to import water, meaning cannot obtain enough to meet demand =hinder development of certain industries, or make them less globally competitive
  • high levels of sanitation= more usable water for schools= improved attendance= better educated, qualifications and able to work in skilled employment improving economic development in country
• problems with water supply- environmental issues

  • water forms some habitats- death or extinction of some species or habitats
  • wetland features purify ester as it enters the surface store eg reeds remove toxins from water and provide nesting material for birds, if lakes deminish wetlands cannot survive as ecologically sensitive
  • decreased water levels, increases conc of algae blooms, eutrophication and fertiliser which run into lakes can cause eutrophication
• water insecurity- causing conflict within countries

  • changes upstream have major impacts downstream so regions upstream must manage river carefully
  • different users may be in competition eg agriculture v domestic v manufacturing
• water insecurity between countries-

  river nile