INFOGRAPHIC 24.9 DEPLETION OF FRESHWATER BY A GROWING POPULATION
Water is pumped from rivers and lakes to irrigate dry land for agriculture. More than 90% of the world’s water usage is for agriculture. The demand for water can exceed the capacity of rivers, lakes, and aquifers to be replenished. During drought years, irrigation sources dry up, affecting aquatic species and human livelihood.
Water is pumped from rivers and lakes to irrigate dry land for agriculture. More than 90% of the world’s water usage is for agriculture. The demand for water can exceed the capacity of rivers, lakes, and aquifers to be replenished. During drought years, irrigation sources dry up, affecting aquatic species and human livelihood.
SOURCES: Annual global water withdrawals, Gleick, P.H. (2001) Making every drop count. Scientific American 284 (2):40–45; High Plains Aquifer, McGuire, V.L. (2013) Water-level and storage changes in the High Plains aquifer, predevelopment to 2011 and 2009–11. U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2012-5291, 15p. (Also available at http://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2012/5291.)