March 22: WORLD WATER DAY, FOR ALMOST 750 MILLION PEOPLE STILL A LUXURY

The World Water Day is above all an invitation to consume consciously. Yes because drinking water is a precious commodity which still almost 750 million people do not have access. In addition to the community of Sub Saharan Africa, water is a luxury for 112 million Chinese and 92 million Indians. The problem, however, concerns all, because the reserves are shrinking rapidly: 20% of groundwater is overexploited and in fact, if we proceed at this rate, in 15 years the Earth will face a decline of 40% of water availability sweet. The collapse, the report of the United Nations, is avoided only with substantial interventions in the management of this resource, also in view of the global population growth to be satiated and feed.
In 2050 water demand increased by 55%
Figures pitted UN lead to only one conclusion: the consumption, especially agricultural and energy, are unsustainable and risk even more thirsty planet. By 2050 the demand for water will increase worldwide by 55%. By that time agriculture, which already uses 70% of available freshwater, will give man 60% more food.
Industrial consumption increased by 400%
Withdrawals of water for energy production account for 15% of the total could rise to 20% in 20 years. In 50 years, between 2000 and 2050, water demand by manufacturing industry is expected to increase by 400%. Faced with this data it is clear that need a rethink. In agriculture it is necessary to improve irrigation techniques, reduce waste and increase productivity of crops, reports the UN.
Answers
On the energy front will serve more efficient cooling of the plant and an increase in production from renewable sources such as wind, solar and geothermal. “The water is inextricably linked to climate change, agriculture, food security, equality, health, gender equality and education,” writes Michel Jarraud, head of UN-Water and Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organization. “There is already an international consensus on the fact that water and sanitation are essential to achieve many goals of sustainable development. This report is fundamental to understand the role of water in Agenda post-2015 development” .
The situation in Italy
If the world situation is alarming, the Italian is not rosy. The withdrawal of the national drinking water, says Istat, comes to 9.5 billion cubic meters, of which 84.8% from groundwater. The water that comes out of the taps is basically good quality, detects the Enea, but “remain to untie knots as the large number of operators, the high dispersion of the resource distribution networks and high concentrations of potentially harmful elements such as arsenic and fluorine in some areas of the country. “