GEF
Unit 1 | Why Water Matters 26 (UN) predicts global population to exceed 9 billion people before 2050, and potentially reach 10 billion before 2100. Much of this growth is occurring in developing countries that are already suffering from stressed water infrastructure, lack of supply, and widespread water contamination. Global per capita water consumption patterns are also shift- ing toward the intensive use found in most developed nations. As some developing nations such as China and India become wealthier, middle and upper class segments of the population are catching up to developed countries in meat consumption, energy use, and domestic water use. This is sharply increasing global water demand. Over the past 200 years, water use has grown twice as fast as population, a pattern that will intensify with rapid economic growth in developing countries. Reducing this demand in both developed and developing nations is a key goal of water sustainability. Greenhouse gas emissions are contributing to climate change which contributes to water instability around the globe. Alongside population growth and increased consumption, the other major factor driving the global water crisis is climate change , a long-term rise in global temperatures and an increase in extreme weather. The vast majority of climate scientists accept that human emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) , primarily WATER CONSUMPTION When water is withdrawn from natural sources by humans and is not immedi- ately available following use. CLIMATE CHANGE A long-term change in the Earth’s weather patterns and temperature, caused primar- ily by human emissions of greenhouse gases. GREENHOUSE GASES (GHGs) Gases, including carbon dioxide, water vapor, and methane that trap heat in the atmosphere.
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