All life on Earth depends on water, a vital natural resource. Natural resource—such as water, air, plants, wildlife, soil, and fossil fuels—are used by humans for the basic necessities of life, including nutrient, drinking h2o, energy, and shelter. Equally a crucial resource for human being life, access to freshwater has historically adamant where civilizations began and thrived. Freshwater exists on World'southward surface in lakes, rivers, and water ice, likewise as beneath the surface every bit groundwater. Nevertheless, it is a limited resource; freshwater makes upwardly but about three percent of all water on Earth.

Although freshwater is considered a renewable resource, the use of freshwater in some regions exceeds the ability of natural processes to replenish supplies. When the demand for freshwater cannot be met, it can pb to political tension and public-wellness problems. Distribution issues may ascend when freshwater supplies, such as lakes, cross political boundaries. They can also occur when human activities upstream on a river adversely affect communities living downstream. Those activities can include dumping pollutants into the river or diverting large amounts of water away from where the water typically flows.

Ecosystems vary in the corporeality of water they hold. Places with hot and dry climates, like deserts, do non have as much freshwater every bit areas with cool, wet climates. North Africa and the Middle E, which are primarily desert environments, are two areas nigh afflicted by h2o shortages. Even in a h2o-rich ecosystem, such as one along a major river, the amount of available freshwater tin can exist express. Factors affecting h2o supplies in these areas include the amount of precipitation, as well every bit human activities, such as industry and farming, that can dethrone h2o quality.

Freshwater Access

Considered by the United nations as an essential man right, access to clean freshwater is both necessary for human life to thrive, and an increasingly frail resources as more and more sources of clean freshwater fall under the threat of climate modify.

Noun

complex way of life that developed as humans began to develop urban settlements.

climate

Noun

all weather conditions for a given location over a period of time.

Substantive

community and interactions of living and nonliving things in an area.

fossil fuel

Noun

coal, oil, or natural gas. Fossil fuels formed from the remains of ancient plants and animals.

freshwater

Substantive

h2o that is non salty.

Noun

water found in an aquifer.

natural resources

Noun

a material that humans take from the natural environment to survive, to satisfy their needs, or to merchandise with others.

renewable resources

Noun

resource that tin replenish itself at a similar charge per unit to its use past people.

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    Director

    Tyson Dark-brown, National Geographic Society

    Author

    National Geographic Society

    Production Managers

    Gina Borgia, National Geographic Lodge
    Jeanna Sullivan, National Geographic Order

    Program Specialists

    Sarah Appleton, National Geographic Society
    Margot Willis, National Geographic Society

    Producer

    Clint Parks

    Last Updated

    Oct. one, 2019

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