water scarcity
water scarcity natural resource water scarcity , insufficient freshwater resources to meet the human and environmental demands of a given area. Water scarcity is inextricably linked to human rights , and sufficient access to safe drinking water is a priority for global development. However, given the challenges of population growth , profligate use, growing pollution , and changes in weather patterns due to global warming , many countries and major cities worldwide, both wealthy and poor, faced increasing water scarcity in the 21st century. Mechanisms There are two general types of water scarcity: physical and economic. Physical, or absolute, water scarcity is the result of a region’s demand outpacing the limited water resources found there. According to the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) of the United Nations , around 1.2 billion people live in areas of physical scarcity; many of ...