The need for clean, fresh water has become a growing concern over the decades, and according to a new study fresh water is going to become even higher in demand in the upcoming years. This study was carried out in four specific areas in the world where a combined 42% of the projected water demand will be located. The study, conducted in China, India, South Africa and Sao Paulo state in Brazil, determined that by the year 2030, global fresh water usage will be “40 per cent higher than current supplies and agriculture is predicted to suck up 65 per cent of all [fresh water] resources” (The Straits Tines, 2009). Specifically in India, the study found that in 2030, fresh water supplies will need to be double what they are today in order to satisfy the needs of this ever growing nation’s population.
In the study, it is stated that “'…the situation is getting worse. There is little indication that left to its own devices, the water sector will come to a sustainable, cost-effective solution to meet the growing water requirements” (The Straits Times, 2009). Water basins in India are currently the main source of fresh water for millions in the nation, and are at a great risk if no action is taken to protect this important resource. If no immediate action is taken, these basins are at risk of depleting greatly in size, and even vanishing completely, leaving these millions who depend on them without any fresh water source.
Due to the fact that India’s population is constantly on the rise, the need for food is also going to continue to increase. Demand for these foods, such as rice, wheat and sugar will mean that India’s agricultural division will utilize approximately 1.5 trillion cubic metres of water by 2030. It may be hard to control the use of water in India due to these rising numbers in population and the demand for food; however it is a necessary precaution that must be taken in order to ensure that future generations in India have any water at all. Therefore it can be determined that in order to avoid these massive increases in fresh water demands the precautionary principle must be implemented.
The Precautionary Principle is defined as being a solution used when an action or activity raises threat or harm to human health or the environment. In a case where the precautionary principle is necessary, there may be some cause and effect relationships not fully established scientifically. The basis of the principle is to do as little harm currently as possible in order to benefit as many people as possible in the future. By implementing the precautionary principle, such taxing companies and agricultural facilities that regularly use fresh water in processes, the amount of fresh water needed in the future may be reduced.
The Aarhus Convention, adopted in 1998, recognizes that “every person has the right to live in an environment adequate to his or her health and well-being…to protect and improve the environment for the benefit of present and future generations…”(Environmental Principles and Policies, 2006). By examining this statement, a conclusion can be drawn in the issue of depleting fresh water resources all around the world. In order for future generations to develop and strive, it is necessary that we take drastic action today by means of implementing the precautionary principle.
Resources
Beder, Sharon. Environmental Principles and Policies; An Interdisciplinary Introduction. Earthscan: London, 2006
The Straits Times. “India water needs set to double”. The Straits Times. 24 November 2009. http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Asia/Story/STIStory_458438.html
Envrionmental Earth Perspectives. “The Precautionary Principle in Environmental Science” September 2001. http://www.ehponline.org/members/2001/109p871-876kriebel/kriebel-full.html#def
Emily Hartwig
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You did a really good job a defining the issue and explaining how India especially is being threatened by a decreasing water supply and increasing population. More of an in-depth look at the precautionary principle would have been good to fully explain how its implementation will affect the global fresh water shortage.
ReplyDeleteHowever I did like how you used the quote in the last paragraph that tied in the Equity Principle. I think in many cases the various principles discussed in Environmental Principles and Policies will over-lap.
- Amy Adair
This is a well written blog, but I think that the introduction might have been a bit long. If you had introduced the precautionary principle earlier, (say, in the second or third paragraph) the issue at hand can still be discussed while explaining the precautionary principle. This would allow for (as Amy suggested above) a more detailed look at how the precautionary principle applies to this particular matter.
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