Alex Rosborough's Blog

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The basic understanding of all life on earth begins with the necessity of water to sustain it. Every aspect of life on earth requires water to survive, which explains why water has been described as the most valuable commodity on earth. 

Water is used in every aspect of human existence from agricultural and manufacturing processes, to personal uses such as drinking, cooking, cleaning etc.

There is not a single process in human society today that does not require water at some stage, yet we use water in such an irresponsible careless manner with complete disregard to the consequences. 

The price of water

water is the only commodity on earth that does not hold a price tag that reflects its true value which has resulted in irresponsible use by humans all over the planet.

As humans we are preconditioned by society to believe true value is only represented by a price tag which has led to a complete dissociation between the intrinsic value of water and our use of this essential commodity.

We are consistently bombarded with information on the importance of sustainable use to reinforce information which every human on earth clearly already possesses, yet we fail to implement.

Water scarcity is actually food insecurity

During a conversation with Dr Aisha Bello-Dumbatta, who is currently involved in research based on the sustainable use of freshwater at Bangor university, the true scale of this carless use of water became apparent.

She described how our dependence on land under irrigation for agricultural purposes demands more than 70% of all global freshwater withdrawals, and with the projected increase in population to 9.8 billion by 2050 the demand is only going to increase.

She also highlighted that a further 22% of global withdrawals account for the processes involved in bringing these food products to the shelves.

This means 92% of all global freshwater withdrawals are used solely in food production.

Combined with projections on population growth, the future of water is looking very bleak.

This conversation brought one idea to mind, projections of water scarcity are actually projections of food insecurity.

The opposing truth

This conversation with Aisha brough a lot of questions of my own to mind.

What does this mean for our future?

Will we run out of water?

Will we all starve to death by the end of this century?

These questions prompted my own research into the matter as she essentially filled me with fear. And the answers I uncovered where not as expected.

Global freshwater use is 4850km³/year which is 11% of the global blue water resources of 44800km³/year.

As society has moved into a global economy, we have seen a huge increase in virtual water (water trade), seeing water flowing from cash poor to cash rich countries. And it is usually the cash poor countries that do not have adequate infrastructure to provide safe clean water to all people.

This highlights water scarcity as a socio-political issue.

The global water crisis is a result of power, poverty, and inequality, not a result of physical availability.

Don’t conform to individual bias

By diving into this issue with a fearful opinion on the matter, I have managed to take away some key lessons.

It is important to always keep an open mind on matters and not let the opinion of others shape our initial thinking, even if our opinions are shaped by those we believe to be reputable, remember, everyone has a bias.

This has ultimately taught me that no matter what trajectory I take in my career, due diligence is always a must and it is important to shape my own opinion.

This will probably have a massive effect on my career path as I now know that certain career decisions I will make must be made based on my own due diligence, not the opinions of others.