"Greater scarcity of water will lead to an increase in the cost of food and the various products which depend on its use. Currently, some studies warn that an acute water shortage may occur within a few decades unless urgent action is taken. The environmental repercussions could affect billions of people; it is also conceivable that the control of water by large multinational businesses may become a major source of conflict in this century"(Franciscus 2015, paragraph 31).

Introduction

This project elaborates the idea that Pope Franciscus brought attention to the issue of the lack of potable water to those who live in industrialized countries and have the luxury of clean drinking water. I want to address the causes and consequences of increasing water scarcity on the planet. According to the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA), water scarcity is the point at which the aggregate impact of all users impinges on the supply or quality of water under prevailing institutional arrangements to the extent that the demand by all sectors, including the environment, cannot be fully satisfied (UNDESA, 2015). The predicted climate changes and a growing population will result in greater water scarcity. The world must address this issue now.

Less than 1% of water on Earth is readily available for direct human consumption (Miller and Spoolman, 2014). Water is vital for agriculture and energy production. Approximately, 70% of freshwater is used for agricultural purposes (Miller and Spoolman, 2014). During the last 100 years the global population tripled, while per capita water withdrawal has quadrupled (Miller and Spoolman, 2014). We are depleting the Earth of its freshwater reasources faster than they are being replenished; we are living an unsustainable way of life.

Decreased Water Levels

Currently, about 700 million people in 43 countries suffer from water scarcity (UNDESA, 2015). By 2025, 1.8 billion people will be living in countries or regions with absolute water scarcity (UNDESA, 2015). The existing climate change model predicts that almost half of the world's population will be living in semi-arid or arid regions by 2030 (UNDESA, 2015). The Colorado River is an example of a major water resource in the United States (U.S.) that is shrinking. Intensive water consumption for irrigation (90%) and to supply semi-arid cities and towns has dried the lower 100 miles of the river so much so that, it has not reached the Gulf of California since the 1960s (Miller and Spoolman, 2014). Increasing demographic growth and economic development cause water scarcity (Figure 1). California is in the midst of going through its most devastating drought in history (Gardner, 2014).

Figure1. California's Enterprise Bridge over Lake Oroville in 2011 (Gardner, 2014).

Figure 2. California's Enterprise Bridge over Lake Oroville in 2014 (Gardner, 2014).

Impacts on Food Costs

A dought in 2012 damaged portions of major field crops such as, corn and soybeans in the Midwestern U.S. (USDAERS, 2013). Most of the impacts of this drought were expected to occur in 2013. Poultry and egg prices increased the most between June 2012 through June 2013 (USDAERS, 2013). During this time, poultry prices increased 5.5% and egg prices 6.9% (USDAERS, 2013). The current and prolonged drought within the state of California has caused regions with increased drought to increase food prices today (Figure 3). As of March 2015, 42% of California was classified under an exceptional drought rating (USDA, 2015). Additional impacts of the 2015 California drought include a net water shortage of 2.7 million acre-feet per year which will result in 542,000 acres of land to be idle and unfit for use (Howitt et al., 2015).

Figure 3. California dought severity and change in consumer price index (CPI) for fresh fruits and vegetables (USDA, 2015).

Possible Solutions

Reduce the amount of water consumed. Increasing demographic growth will deplet the Earth of freshwater resources for future generations (Gardner, 2014). This will result in a world full of hunger, malnutrition, and more competition.Turn off the faucet when brushing your teeth. Utilize reusable water bottles, eco-friendly cleaning supplies, and turn off lights when leaving a room.

Click here to discover ways in which you can help conserve water.