Eleanor Finch
Water is critical to the survival of all living organisms, and fresh water is a vital resource for humans, plants, and animals. However, fresh water constitutes less than 3% of the world's water resources, and only a fraction of that is readily available for human use. The largest amount of freshwater on Earth is found in the form of ice in glaciers and polar ice caps, accounting for approximately 68-69% of the total freshwater reserves. Groundwater, which includes water in aquifers, subterranean rivers and lakes, makes up around 30% of Earth's freshwater. The remaining freshwater is found on the surface in the form of lakes, rivers, swamps, and other water bodies, comprising only about 0.3-1.2% of Earth's freshwater. This small proportion of surface freshwater serves most of life's needs, with rivers being a significant source of water for human consumption. The unequal distribution of freshwater resources globally impacts access to clean water, economic development, and geopolitics.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total volume of water on Earth | 1.386 billion km3 (333 million cubic miles) |
| Percentage of freshwater | 2.5% |
| Freshwater in ice caps and glaciers | 68-69% |
| Freshwater in groundwater | 30% |
| Freshwater in lakes, rivers, and swamps | 0.3% |
| Freshwater used for agriculture | 70% |
| Freshwater used for human consumption | 3% |
| Percentage of the world's known fish species found in freshwater ecosystems | 41% |
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What You'll Learn
Freshwater is rare, with less than 3% of Earth's water being freshwater
Freshwater is a rare resource on Earth, with less than 3% of the planet's water being freshwater. The remaining 97% is saltwater, found in sources like oceans and seas. Freshwater is essential for the survival of various living organisms, including the majority of vascular plants and most insects, amphibians, reptiles, mammals, and birds.
Of the limited freshwater on Earth, a significant portion is inaccessible to humans. Approximately 69% of freshwater is locked away in glaciers and polar ice caps, while 30% is found underground as groundwater. This leaves only about 1% of freshwater readily available for human use. This small fraction of freshwater is crucial for various purposes, including drinking water, agriculture, and economic activities.
The distribution of this 1% of freshwater is unequal across the globe. Brazil, Russia, Canada, Indonesia, China, Colombia, and the United States possess most of the world's surface freshwater resources. This disparity results in approximately one-fifth of the global population living in water-scarce regions. These areas face challenges in accessing clean and usable water, impacting their economic development and geopolitical dynamics.
Freshwater ecosystems encompass a diverse range of habitats, including lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, springs, bogs, and wetlands. These ecosystems play a vital role in supporting various species, with 41% of the world's known fish species relying on them. However, the increasing world population and rising per capita water use strain the finite resources of clean freshwater.
The rarity and unequal distribution of freshwater have significant implications for international geopolitics. Conflicts over water resources are prevalent, even in regions with relatively abundant freshwater, such as the United States. As populations continue to grow, and climate change alters precipitation patterns, these disputes over water usage are likely to become more frequent and intense.
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Most freshwater is locked in ice and glaciers
Of the total water on Earth, only a small fraction is freshwater. The vast majority of water on the planet is saline water in the oceans. Less than 3% of the water found on Earth is freshwater, and most of this is locked away in ice and glaciers.
Around 68-69% of the Earth's freshwater reserves are locked away in the form of ice in glaciers, ice caps and ice sheets, and snowfields. The Antarctic ice sheet alone holds about 90% of the freshwater on the planet's surface. The Greenland ice sheet also contains large volumes of freshwater. This ice meltwater is an important source of freshwater for human use.
Another 30% of the Earth's freshwater is found underground as groundwater. This water is contained in aquifers, subterranean rivers and lakes. More than half of the people in the US get their water from groundwater sources. However, some groundwater lies too far beneath the Earth's surface to be extracted at an affordable cost.
Just over 0.3% of the Earth's freshwater is found on the surface in the form of lakes, rivers, streams, and swamps. This surface water serves most of life's needs. However, it is not equally distributed around the world. Brazil, Russia, Canada, Indonesia, China, Colombia, and the United States have most of the world's surface freshwater resources.
Freshwater is a critical resource for the survival of all living organisms, especially as many organisms cannot survive on saltwater. However, it is a finite resource and demand is increasing due to population growth and increased per capita water use.
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Groundwater accounts for around 30% of freshwater
Freshwater is a critical resource for human survival and many ecosystems. However, it constitutes only a small fraction of the Earth's total water resources, with less than 3% of the planet's water being freshwater. The remaining 97% is predominantly saline or saltwater found in oceans.
Of this limited freshwater, groundwater accounts for around 30%. Groundwater is an essential component of the Earth's freshwater reserves and plays a vital role in sustaining human populations and ecosystems. It is defined as water that infiltrates the ground through porous materials, eventually filling the pores and fractures in layers of underground rock called aquifers.
While groundwater is a significant source of freshwater, it is not always easily accessible. Some groundwater lies too far beneath the Earth's surface to be extracted affordably. This challenge underscores the importance of managing and conserving groundwater resources effectively to ensure their availability for current and future generations.
The availability of groundwater varies across the globe, with certain regions possessing more abundant sources than others. For example, more than half of the population in the United States relies on groundwater for their daily water needs. In contrast, many other parts of the world face water scarcity and lack access to clean, safe drinking water.
Groundwater is a valuable resource, but it is also vulnerable to pollution from human activities and natural processes. Activities such as agriculture, industry, and urban development can contaminate groundwater with chemicals, pesticides, and waste. Additionally, natural processes like erosion and the leaching of minerals from rocks can also impact groundwater quality. Therefore, it is crucial to protect and manage groundwater resources sustainably to ensure their long-term availability and quality.
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Surface freshwater is only a small fraction, with lakes, rivers and swamps making up 0.3%
Freshwater is a critical resource for human survival, yet it constitutes a very small proportion of the Earth's total water resources. Less than 3% of the Earth's water is freshwater, with the vast majority (over 96%) being saline or saltwater found in oceans. Of this small percentage of freshwater, only a tiny fraction is readily available for human use.
Surface freshwater, including lakes, rivers, swamps, wetlands, creeks, and streams, accounts for a minuscule 0.3% of the Earth's total freshwater reserves. This surface freshwater is essential for meeting the needs of everyday human life. Rivers, in particular, are a significant source of water for human consumption, despite accounting for a small fraction of freshwater (about 0.49% to 0.5%). The distribution of river runoff is uneven, with some regions, like Australia's Cape York Peninsula, having a higher concentration of renewable freshwater.
The remaining freshwater is found in glaciers, ice caps, and groundwater. Approximately 68-69% of freshwater is locked away in the form of ice in glaciers, polar ice caps, and Antarctica, and about 30% is found underground as groundwater. Groundwater, which accounts for a significant portion of freshwater, is an important source of water for more than half of the population in the United States.
The unequal distribution of freshwater resources has significant implications for populations' access to clean water, economic development, and global geopolitics. Brazil, Russia, Canada, Indonesia, China, Colombia, and the United States possess most of the world's surface freshwater resources, while approximately one-fifth of the global population resides in water-scarce regions. This disparity in access to freshwater resources underscores the critical importance of sustainable water management and equitable distribution to address water scarcity and ensure access to safe drinking water for all.
Additionally, it is worth noting that freshwater ecosystems, such as lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, springs, bogs, and wetlands, are distinct from marine ecosystems due to their lower salinity. These ecosystems support a diverse range of biological communities and contain approximately 41% of the world's known fish species. The preservation and conservation of these freshwater habitats are crucial for maintaining the delicate balance of nature and supporting the survival of various organisms that depend on them.
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Humans use most freshwater for agriculture
Freshwater is a critical resource for human survival. However, it accounts for less than 3% of the world's water resources, with the remaining 97% being seawater too salty for drinking, agriculture, and most industrial uses. Of this freshwater, 69% is locked away in glaciers and polar ice caps, and 30% is groundwater. This leaves just 1% of the Earth's freshwater readily available for human use.
Agriculture is the largest consumer of this precious resource, accounting for approximately 70% of freshwater use globally. This equates to over 600 gallons per day per person in the US being diverted for farm irrigation and livestock use from natural aquatic sources. As the global population continues to grow, so too will the demand for agricultural products and freshwater. It is estimated that by 2050, demand for agricultural freshwater will increase by 50%.
The unequal distribution of freshwater resources worldwide further exacerbates the challenge. Brazil, Russia, Canada, Indonesia, China, Colombia, and the United States possess the majority of the world's surface freshwater resources. Consequently, approximately one-fifth of the global population resides in water-scarce regions, receiving less than 1,000 cubic meters of water per person annually. This inequality impacts not only access to clean water but also economic development and global geopolitics.
The strain on freshwater supplies is not limited to agriculture. Industrial activities, particularly in high-income countries, also contribute significantly to water withdrawals. Regions like Central and Eastern Europe have high industrial water usage. However, it is important to note that in low-income countries, agricultural and industrial water withdrawals may be lower, with a higher proportion used for municipal purposes.
Ensuring sustainable water withdrawals and addressing water scarcity are critical challenges for the future. With the world's freshwater resources already under pressure, maintaining sustainable levels of water resource use will become increasingly crucial to safeguard this vital but finite resource.
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Frequently asked questions
The largest amount of freshwater on Earth is found in glaciers and polar ice caps, which account for around 68-69% of the planet's freshwater resources.
Freshwater accounts for around 2.5-3% of all the water on Earth, with the remaining 96.5-97% being saline or salt water, mostly in the oceans.
Only about 1% of Earth's freshwater is readily available for human use, with the remaining 99% either locked away in ice and underground or polluted.
