Theoretical Summation in the 21st Century, Great

¶ … Theoretical Summation

In the 21st century, great strides have been made that have decreased poverty, increased income and quality of life in the developing world, and brought the world closer together in a spirit of cooperation. However, there remains an evolving water crisis -- actually three separate paradigms that form a serious global crisis: decreased freshwater, problems with access to potable water globally, and large corporations' control over access to water. Too, climate change has, in many areas of the globe, resulted in a diminishing supply of potable water. This trend has occurred so much that it is becoming a measurement of national wealth and comparison between nations -- private interests or public/private interest dominant in terms of available water supplies. This is particularly serious from a human biological perspective -- water is required for survival, agriculture and industry. Without access to water, or with limited access, the gulf between the haves and have-nots increases drastically. (Barlow, ed., 2008).

From a scientific aspect, it is valuable to review the global environment as Gaia, or a living organism. The water cycle operates from condensation through evaporation to eventual precipitation -- all working synergistically to form the basis of Earth as "the Water Planet." when any part of the cycle is interrupted, vast changes take place in the ecological dimensions of the planet -- often multiplying as the geographic area increases. Water is nature's filtration system, along with the balance between mega forests and weather, kept the relationship between potable water and human life viable (Global Water Crisis, 2003).

Climate change, hurried or unwise agricultural policies, vast unchecked population growth and overdevelopment of land have increased the problems and thrown the water cycle out of balance -- all to the point where in excess of a billion individuals lack safe water supplies and up to four million deaths per annum directly related to water issues. Ironically, only 1% of the world's fresh water is readily accessible for direct human use. Translated into something we can understand readily: one American taking a 5-minute shower uses more water than the typical person living in a developing country slum uses in an entire day -- and most Americans take far longer than 5-minute showers. This is a crisis that must be addressed, if it is not, over the next two decades the average supply of water per person will drop by over 30%, condemning millions of people and animals to death (Atlas of a Thirsty Planet, 2011).

The Global Water Crisis is a conundrum because it is not just a regional problem, it is global and multidimensional. The very nature of this means that any analysis or solution requires a broad perspective: historical, cultural, political, scientific, industrial, agricultural and even sociological.