Water Crisis, Research Paper Example

Water is the foundation for all human life. This is true for both developing and industrialized countries around the world. Water is needed for daily functions like bathing and drinking as well as agriculture, electrical generation and recreation. All of these essential functions for humanity are threatened by a growing crisis in water access and availability. Due to profound ecological changes due to human agency from industrial pollution, over-population and over-consumption, the world’s supply of safe and clean drinking water is increasingly threatened. This paper will explore the nature of this crisis and its impacts on the economic sphere and suggest potential solutions which will ensure that future generations have access to this critical resource.

Within the context of North America, the water supply is rapidly decreasing year to year. This stems from short-sighted use of non-renewable water resources. Warman (2008) describes how the United States is dependent on nonrenewable water resources for over half of its daily usage and use substantially more water per person than other countries around the world. Yet whether one lives in America or Australia, it is increasingly necessary that people take action. Over the course of the next two decades, water demand is expected to rise forty percent due to population pressure and the various services they will demand such as water for agricultural, electrical production and hygiene (Warman, 2008). This demand will be high in countries with limited water access yet high population growth such as in the developing countries of the world. This situation will present canny business with tremendous opportunities to meet these needs.

One area of tremendous growth is water recycling, purification and treatment. Walsh (2006) discusses how a tremendous amount of water is wasted every year through inefficient irrigation of agricultural land. Business that provides support for reclaiming water resources from pollution will have tremendous growth potential while also helping the environment and wellbeing of countless people around the world. Tremendous and unsustainable levels of industrial pollutants are released into the ecosystem of the planet and those companies while offer the chemical know-how to remove these contaminants will be well-placed to profit. Companies which have the knowledge to develop solvents and other green technologies which can be used to clean the rivers or reduce the impact of oil spills on complex ecosystems will receive greater investment and utilization in the decades ahead.

In other water crisis related fields, it can be stated that the business world will see an expansion of the recourses invested into water pipeline development and sewage infrastructure as more homes demand higher quality water resources. In addition, more dams will be constructed as the need for electricity increases around the world. The truth of the matter is that currently companies as well as people are overly carless about the importance of water conservation and when the crisis hits those organizations which have had the foresight to realize the impending demand will profit from providing the required skills and resources to meet the world’s water needs. Companies which develop infrastructure software to more efficiently distribute both water and electrical resources across city-wide grips will help the entire community function more sustainably and with better resource allocations. The critical point of this paragraph is that companies which with minimal water exposure, such as software development or electrical grid management, will still be impacted by the tremendous social impact that the impending water crisis will have on both industrialized and developing countries and their economies.

Looking ahead while there are tremendous opportunities involved in the water crisis for economic expansion. It is critical that proper perspective be maintained on the downside. Limits placed on water consumption will most negatively impact developing world farmers. Therefore, companies which can improve crop yield through biotechnology will also benefit. Biotechnology companies which can design new genetic variations of crops which require minimal water to grow will be able to feed millions while also improving the quality of life for the world’s poor and generating tremendous profit. Companies must act responsibly to ensure that those least able to weather the water crisis are able to feed themselves and provide for their families.

In conclusion, the water crisis is an unprecedented challenge to the human race. As the challenge of efficiently managing dwindling water resources to ever increasing populations becomes apparent, companies must take innovative steps to ensure their own wellbeing in an ever changing world. By rationally considering how limited water resources will change the agricultural, electrical and biotechnology fields, companies can prepare for the future.

References

Suchocki, J. 2010. Conceptual Chemistry (4^th Edition). Prentice Hall: New York, NY.

Walsh, K. 2006. Water Treatment. Chemical Week. 168(24): 20-21.

Warman, J. 2008. Science of Supply and Demand. Spectator Business.