In case you have forgotten, I’d like to remind you that we passed World Water Day in 22 March. This year’s theme is “Water Scarcity”. In my previous post, indeed I put several rows talking about water scarcity and few pictures of it as an example, when it displayed several kids need water badly in the middle of dessert.
One point I’d like to highlight here is that, it is not ackward that indeed in some parts throughout the world, they are experiencing lack of fresh water. Sort of water shortage or water scarcity. It’s often symbolized by a very dry dessert, very few rainfall regions etc. While seeing our brothers out there need water badly, it would be appropriate that we try to feel the same way they feel, by saving water and not using it excessively. It is not purely about water in terms of resources, quantitative flow, but more about social feeling among us and empathy for those who need water but can’t get it sufficiently.
One might say, however, based on my thinking, somehow there are some contrary factors regarding water scarcity. Don’t know if it is due my lack of understanding, or because that is the fact. Sometimes it can be easily put on dispute on how the world is losing water. Why? Well, although some regions of the world feel there is a scarcity of fresh water, but this condition can be overcame and easily solved by technology. I found it quite interesting.
One example is here. It is nice example how technology is beautifully applied to overcome water shortage. However, what I think quite confusing is, would that include to water scarcity? I do not think so, that’s because the initial stage of water supply for those people already limited at the first time.
Now, what is water scarcity? By seeing on this nice definiton, it can be easily spotted that it is a situation that there is insufficient water to meet demands. Supply is not equal with the demand, on which demand is higher. However, defining scarcity for policy-related decision process is difficult, because populations with normally high water consumption may experience “scarcity” more than other societies who are getting used to using much less water.
However, it is clearcly indicated that when water is shortened, lake water level is declining, high evaporation of water and thus can not meet population’s demand, that what is called water scarcity. Yet, technology has been improving very fast during the last decade, makes it only a rich group of regions or country that can afford those such technologies to overcome water scarcity. Poorer or developing country which population are usually very high, on the next decades, perhaps should learn “tradionally” methods like what people in South Africa do by employing biochemical process (insects) that much more economical than by buying high cost technology for which they can’t afford to buy it.
Opinions are welcome.