Monday, 21 May 2012

Threat to Canada


What is the biggest threat facing our Canada in the next 50 years

Water scarcity will be a huge threat. Canada has the most fresh water in the world.

Consumptive water us:
Consumptive water use refers to the water that is not returned to the streams after use. Most of the water enters the atmospheric pool by evaporation and from plant transpiration
-Irrigated agriculture is responsible for the consumptive water use. Example Colorado River (it has the most of its water diverted to irrigated agriculture
-Agriculture is responsible for 87 % of the total water used globally

Water Sustainability: 
-The 7 billion people on the planet use nearly 30% of the world’s total accessible renewal supply of water
-By 2025 the value may reach 70%. And people have lack of basic water service
-Millions of people die from water-related diseases

Pollution plays a key role in water scarcity.
Pollution, from industry, agriculture and not least, human waste, adds fierce pressure on water scarcity. About two million tons of waste are dumped every day into rivers, lakes and streams, with one litre of waste it causes water sufficient to pollute about eight litres of fresh water. Today's report estimates that across the world there are about 12,000 cubic kilometres of waste water, which is more than the total amount contained in the world's 10 largest river basins at any given moment.Therefore, it suggests, if pollution keeps pace with population growth, the world will in effect lose 18,000 cubic kilometres by 2050 almost nine times the amount all countries currently use for irrigation.

Solutions:
-There are a lot of little things that you can do such as: conserve water. Take shorter showers
-Water lawn at night
-Cloud harvesting
-Put up these net on any high place that way when fog or low clouds come in the moisture is captured and the water runs into large tanks.
-Agricultural water should be efficiently used and allocated.
-Water-related diseases, including Guinea worm, diarrhea, malaria, and typhoid should be brought under control 
Threat to Canada
The threat that it causes for Canada is that we own the most fresh water. With the need for fresh water in the future this will put strain on countries which will cause wars in order to accomplish their need for fresh water.

3 comments:

  1. Thank you for highlighting all the ways water can turn into a threat for Canada! I don't think many people realize the numerous potential issues that could arise with our abundant water supply- they think it'll just last us forever!
    Fresh water is absolutely essential for human life and without it, it is certain that conflicts will begin. Hopefully Canada can develop a plan for our fresh water and balance the citizen's needs with the needs to citizens of the world.

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  2. It's great how you outlined all the different ways that our water is being effected. Many people just think that the natural water cycle takes care of us and that's it. But we should never ever take water for granted, because it is our key to life.

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  3. Great post, it was very informative. If you get the chance take a closer look into cloud and rain harvesting. My old house had a rain collecting system under my front and back lawn. And because the lawn was so large(and this is Canada)almost all our outdoor hose water was free. It was great for gardening, other outdoor water activities and it's something my family recommends considering when buying a house.

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