How Is Climate Change Leading To Freshwater Depletion?

Earth’s pictures taken from outer show that it has more water than land. amount of water present on its surface is a unique attribute. Earth is refore called ‘ Blue Planet’ or ‘Blue Marble’ (name based on ims sent by Apollo 17 in 1972). However, it is a surprising fact that despite 71% of Earth's surface is covered with water, more than 99% of it is unusable, t only to humans but also a large sect of aquatic flora and fauna.  

Freshwater accounts to only 3% of water present on  earth. According to a survey,  a considerable amount of this 3% is also inaccessible. Over 68 % of freshwater on Earth is found in icecaps and glaciers and 30% is found in groundwater. 0.3% of freshwater is found in surface water bodies like lakes, rivers, and swamps. 

Freshwater habitats house 10% of animals and more than 40% of varying fish species. For humans, freshwater is a source of drinking water and is also used for purpose of irrigation. This becomes more significant in countries like India that depend on agriculture for food and employment.  In India, dams across freshwater bodies have over 20 hydropower plants that provide electricity in and around several states of India.  

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However, several natural and man-me factors are leing to deficit of freshwater and it is depleting at an alarming rate. causes are climate change that is leing to melting of glaciers and drying up of major rivers.  As per reports, on a global level, more than 1 billion people lack access to clean drinking water and 2 billion lack equate sanitation. Exhaustion of freshwater is one of most urgent environmental and development issues of 21st century. 

Global Warming: A major cause 

Global warming is long-term rise in aver temperature of Earth's climate system. Irresponsible infrastructure and burning of fossil fuels have affected biosphere of earth including atmosphere that is evident through fluctuation of temperature. transformation of natural landscapes into urban sectors with well-developed ros and deep-rooted buildings have invertently disrupted natural water cycle causing unpredictable rainfalls – heavy floods or severe droughts in several parts of world. se seemingly irrelevant changes have, however, affected quality of water which in turn is affecting t only human beings but also all aquatic living beings that rely on freshwater.  

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Several organizations like World Wildlife Fund have taken steps to ensure that freshwater and species living in it are preserved. It is high time that more of us realize how freshwater, which is an essential element for our sustenance is becoming a finite resource. We need to take steps to ensure that our future generation does t face a water crisis as serious as one we are facing. Every drop counts when it comes to contributing towards a cause such as environment preservation.