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Lives of people, animals, and plants on planet Earth highly depend on water. Unlike fossils, water is not a commodity, it is the basis of life, and it cannot be replaced by other resources. Community health, food security, and quality of life are the areas that suffer from water scarcity today in many places in the world. The growth of the population provokes difficulties in meeting water and food needs. According to Postel, global water supply per capita has decreased by 63% since 1950, and it is going to decline by 15% more by 2015 (4).
Water is extensively used in food production, and its uneven distribution threatens with hunger to large regions. Although people build transportation facilities for water distribution, proper management of use is believed to be a safer answer to water shortage. By growing efficiency of water use for food production, people can build secure and resilient communities that will meet their needs in water and food supply.
Food production is mainly based on agriculture, and farming is a highly water-consuming industry. As Postel claims, “it takes about 3,000 liters of water to meet a person’s daily dietary needs” (8). It is evident that water scarcity will damage food producers and cause hunger in many countries where the risk is the highest. Increasing water supply through overpumping groundwater, desalination plants, or facilities to divert rivers was initially believed to be the answer to the problem. However, these methods of water distribution are costly, require high inputs of energy, and pollute the environment. Ironically, building and sustaining such facilities takes more water, so their benefit is minimal. Alternative solutions focus predominantly on the efficient use of water supply, increasing the nutritional value of food per water drop.
As irrigation of crops is the main factor of water intake in agriculture, improvements in this process are vital for the reduction in water use. The same amounts of water spread through drip or at least scheduled irrigation can increase crop benefit in comparison to traditional water spraying. According to Postel, only 10% of irrigation reduction can save enough water for cities and industries by 2025 (9). In addition to this, rain-fed lands should be used more extensively, as they require no irrigation. While many countries benefit from such areas, poorer regions still do not make the most of the land that is watered exclusively by rain.
It is evident that different foods require different amounts of water to produce them. That is why dietary preferences should be reconsidered with emphasis on less water consuming products. Production of meat takes multiple times more water than growing crops, so eating less meat will be not only beneficial for health, but it will also positively influence water supply. Trading for water in the form of crops is another solution for countries with water scarcity. As Postel suggests, it makes “better economic and even environmental sense to import more of their food, rather than grow it themselves” (10). Such countries may use their water more effectively, preserving it for drinking or industrial needs.
In conclusion, it is important to remember that agriculture and animal farming are the industries with the highest demand for water. The increase in the supply is not the best option as methods that reduce water consumption are more efficient and environmentally safe. Improvements in irrigation and rational use of water-fed lands are the approaches that have the potential to solve current problems with water scarcity. Countries with lower water supply may consider imports as a more profitable alternative to local agriculture. Moreover, switching to foods that require less water per one calorie is the option for moderate water use.
Work Cited
Postel, Sandra. “Water: Adapting to a New Normal.” The Post Carbon Reader: Managing the 21st Century’s Sustainability Crises, edited by Richard Heinberg and Daniel Lerch, Watershed Media, 2010, pp. 1–16.
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