Article Summary: Rogers, Peter. Facing the Freshwater Crisis. Scientific American, 2008

Article Information:

Article Title: Facing the Water Crisis.

Article Source/Date/Author: Scientific American/2008/Peter Rodgers

Important Points

  • Demand for fresh water has caused pressure on the resource
  • Demand exceeds supply in most parts of the world
  • Demand increases in areas with high population density
  • Golden rule – water is paid for to reduce pressure caused by high demand
  • Policymakers should protect ecosystems that provide water
  • Good pricing policies that achieves the highest water conservation is desirable
  • Prices compel municipalities to reduce losses
  • Water delivery systems should be improved
  • Efficient ways of applying water on the farm should also be developed
  • Leaks in the water delivery systems should be avoided
  • Low-tech systems solve water scarcity problems
  • Improved desalination methods boost supplies without destroying the ecosystem
  • Infrastructure for water conservation need to be implemented
  • Low-cost storage system should be implemented
  • Constraining demand and/or increasing supply can solve water shortage problem

Summary of Author’s Main Points:

The main point of the article is that policy makers should implement the best policies to reduce water crisis. Many parts of Africa and Asia face water problems due to ineffective mechanisms of distribution (Rogers 2008). First, demand should be determined in order to supply water to the areas that need it most. Pricing strategies should then be used to minimize losses. Water shortage can also be avoided by using good infrastructure with minimum leakages and good storage.

My Own Thoughts on the Topic

Water is an essential part of human survival. Therefore, human beings need to conserve it using appropriate mechanisms. Although I think it is not fair to charge money on this natural resource, giving it for free would also lead to wastage. Water should be conserved so that everyone, including the rich and the poor can access it. The best conservation method is to use it in the best ways possible and avoid losses.

Relation to class

  • This article is related to the topic, “Water: resources and pollution” because they both talk about water conservation
  • Like the topic about water learned in class, this article talks about possible ways of water shortages and how demand can be matched with demand.

Discussion questions

  1. If water is a natural resource like air, why should it be paid for?
  2. Does water treatment lead to protection of the ecosystem?

 

Works cited

Rogers, Peter. Facing the Freshwater Crisis. Scientific American, 2008. Print.

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