What if nature were able to talk? What would it ask for? If possible, the Earth might be screaming to human beings not to waste natural resources. Since humanity appeared in this planet, all people have done is using natural resources -especially water- without taking any measures to protect them. Nowadays, as water is lacking all around the world, people like to think that it is not their fault; instead, they say it is the consequence of climate change. Although natural phenomena have increased the lack of water worldwide, human beings are responsible for water shortages because of the abuse of natural resources.
To begin with, the crisis humanity is facing is related to people’s actions; water shortages are the consequence of the inability of human beings to protect hydric resources. According to the article “Sin aqua non” during the last 50 years “the world’s population rose from 3 billion to 6.5 billion (2009). As a consequence, more water will be required to satisfy people’s needs. For this reason, one can say that overpopulation means overconsumption of water. However, this is not the only reason why water is lacking worldwide; the main problem is that people do not use this natural resource in an intelligent way, and abuse is the culture. Some think water is a renewable resource, so they do not care about how much of this liquid they use in everyday activities. As a result, people “are using more water than can be replenished” (Foulkes, 2009). The lack of education regarding natural resources management is what leads to inadequate habits. For example, some people are used to brush their teeth while the water is running; this is exactly what lack of education, in regards to the use of natural resources, means.
In contrast, some individuals say that water shortages are not related to human actions. The claim of many people is that the world has plenty of water and humans do not have to worry about it. While it is true that 70% of the Earth’s surface is water just 1% of it is drinking water (United States Environmental Protection Agency, 2007). Besides that argument, a person can say that global warming is the main cause of water shortages, so it is not human beings fault. However, what has caused climate change are human beings’ actions; that is why the cycle of the rains is changing, the poles are melting and people in some regions of the world have little water to survive. For these reasons, humanity should stop thinking that the lack of water is not their fault.
The good news is that all people around the world can do something to avoid a massive drought. Reducing the time while taking a shower or watering the garden with a container instead of a hose are actions that everybody can do without much effort. Also, water authorities can implement water policies, as campaigns or incentives, to improve the water use. Nevertheless, the most important action is to improve the efficiency of water because if people change their habits and take advantage of this liquid in an intelligent way, the problem will decrease. In brief, sustainability is the goal, and if water resources are managed in a proper way it can be achieved.
The future and well-being of humanity depends on the decisions people make now; if individuals choose to do nothing in order to stop the growing problem of water shortages, the consequences might be irreversible. On the other hand, changing certain habits and behaviors can be the solution to this problem. Everyone can do something, and human beings just have to make the correct decision.
Elena Bermudez
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