The World’s Water Supplies — A Thirsty Graphic
May 13, 2008 – 2:03 pmClick Maps Separately for Higher Resolution
Major bottled water exporters and importers. The maps illustrate insanity of contemporary global trade in bottles water. The trade flows aren’t driven by local needs or resource availability (in most countries where large amounts of bottled water are consumed, the tap water is perfectly drinkable).
* The world will have 3 billion people living in conditions of water scarcity by 2025, according to the UNEP
* Population growth has reduced global water supplies from 12,900 cubic miles (m3) per capita in 1970 to 9,000 m3 in 1990 and under 7,000 m3 in 2000
* The annual global freshwater supply is predicted to drop to 5,100 m3 per capita by 2025
* The amount of water available for human consumption is between 12,500 cubic kilometers (km3) and 14,000 km3 annually
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Much of the world’s freshwater supply is located far from where it is needed most, which makes it effectively unavailable
Graphics provided courtesy of the UNEP
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