National Geographic Magazine featured water as a special issue on April, 2010. Great photography with a powerful messages on global water issues! Check out: National Geographic Magazine
Statistics
Nearly 70% of the world’s fresh water is locked in ice.
Most of the rest is in aquifers that we’re draining much more quickly than the natural recharge rate.
Two-thirds of our water is used to grow food.
With 83 million more people on earth each year, water demand will keep going up unless we change how we use it.
Americans use about 100 gallons (380 liters) of water at home each day.
Millions of the world’s poorest subsist on fewer than five gallons (19 liters).
46% of people on earth do not have water piped to their homes.
Women in developing countries walk an average of 3.7 miles (6 kilometers) to get water.
In 15 years, 1.8 billion people will live in regions of severe water scarcity.
One out of eight people lacks access to clean water.
3.3 million die from water-related health problems each year.
Washing hands with soap can reduce diarrheal disease by 45%.
An eradication campaign that includes a simple water filter has cut the number of Guinea Worm cases by 99.9% since 1986.
The weight of China’s three gorges reservoir will tilt the earth’s axis by nearly an inch (2.54 centimeters).
The longest water tunnel, supplying New York City, is 85 miles and leaks up to 35 million gallons (132 million liters) a day.
The Itaipú dam in South America cost $18 billion and took 17 years to build.
Dam projects have displaced up to 80 million people worldwide.
U.S. vacationers rank going to the beach or a lack as their favorite outdoor activity.
More Americans fish than play golf or tennis.
The U.S. recreational boating industry generated $33.6 billion in 2008.
In Florida, 3,000 gallons (11,356 liters) are used to water the grass for each golf game played.
U.S. swimming pools lose 150 billion gallons (567 billion liters) to evaporation every year.
Check out: National Geographic Magazine
