The trend of freshwater use worldwide over the last 100 years resembles that of exponential growth. It is a trend that is troubling because water is a finite resource that will only become scarcer as more of it is used. Such a contrast is the reason that awareness about water scarcity has become impossible to avoid. Environmental factors such as drought and saltwater intrusion are generally thought of first in regard to water scarcity, but the infrastructure and institutions tasked with delivering water to people can also cause water scarcity. Furthermore, climate change will only cause added stress to water resources, as more frequent and longer lasting droughts can be expected with rising global temperatures.
Read moreThe seas are rising, but we’re running out of water
