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Next Resource in Crisis: Water

H2O is no longer 'cheap and unlimited,' says scientist

By Dustin Lushing, Newser Staff

Posted Jun 4, 2008 4:30 PM CDT

(Newser) – While economists and world leaders fret about the global food crisis, there is another emergency that is just as urgent: the shortage of water, writes British scientist Fred Pearce in Yale Environment 360. No longer is water "a cheap and unlimited resource," and with two-thirds of water extracted from nature used to irrigate crops, a scarcity could trigger terrible famines.

With major waterways including the Colorado River and China's Yellow River being overused to the point of drying out, Pearce urges people to do three things: rethink biofuels, develop trade in food exported from countries with a water surplus (like Brazil), and to be more efficient with water use.

An Iraqi woman fills a bucket of water from the river Euphrates near the Shiite holy city of Najaf. (AP Photo)

Residents fill water into tanks after water shortage in Yangon, Myanmar, Wednesday, May 7, 2008, following devastating Cyclone Nargis' hit over the weekend. International aid began to trickle into Myanmar,... (AP Photo)

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Next Resource in Crisis: Water

H2O is no longer 'cheap and unlimited,' says scientist

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High Food Prices Hurt World's Poor

Relief groups find resources, ability to help stretched thin

Melting Peru Glaciers Threaten Water Crisis

Water is in decline 20 to 30 years earlier than expected

Climate Change Will Snatch West's Dwindling Water

Flow is already down in major rivers

Within 20 Years, an Alarming Water Shortage

Demand will exceed supply by 40% in many countries

Davos Brimming With Optimism for 'New Reality'

But rising food prices, political uncertainty are cause for concern

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Next Resource in Crisis: Water

H2O is no longer 'cheap and unlimited,' says scientist

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

China • water • biofuel • food prices • water shortage • Fred Pearce • Yellow River

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

High Food Prices Hurt World's Poor

Relief groups find resources, ability to help stretched thin

Melting Peru Glaciers Threaten Water Crisis

Water is in decline 20 to 30 years earlier than expected

Climate Change Will Snatch West's Dwindling Water

Flow is already down in major rivers

Within 20 Years, an Alarming Water Shortage

Demand will exceed supply by 40% in many countries

Davos Brimming With Optimism for 'New Reality'

But rising food prices, political uncertainty are cause for concern

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?