Availability of Water: Facts and Figures
Water is one of Earth's most critical natural resources, essential for all known forms of life. However, its availability varies significantly across regions and over time. Here are some key facts about the availability of water: 1. Distribution of Water on Earth: Approximately 71% of the Earth's surface is covered by water. However, 97.5% of this is saltwater, which is unsuitable for direct human consumption or agriculture. Freshwater constitutes only 2.5% of Earth's total water, most of which is locked up in glaciers, ice caps, and underground aquifers. 2. Freshwater Availability: Only about 1% of the world's freshwater is easily accessible in lakes, rivers, and reservoirs. This accessible freshwater is unevenly distributed, with some regions having abundant supplies and others facing chronic scarcity. 3. Global Water Scarcity: The United Nations reports that 2.2 billion people worldwide lack access to safely managed drinking water services. Water scarcity affects ...