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3-31-08, 9:53 am
• Since 1900, the world population has tripled, but the amount of fresh water consumed has multiplied by six.
• The world population is growing by an average of 85 million a year. Worldwide, water consumption doubles every 20 years.
• Water now occupies 70% of the Earth’s surface, but only a little more than 2% is fresh water. Of the planet’s 1.4 billion cubic km of water, only .001% can be used.
• Only 5% of residual water in the world is treated for purification and recycled.
• In order to solve the current situation, some $180 billion needs to be spent annually.
• 12 million people die every year of diseases related to water scarcity.
• According to the United Nations, one out of every five people in the world has no access to potable water, while about 2.4 billion lack adequate sanitation services.
• The World Bank estimates that by the year 2035, half the world’s population will be living in countries with severe water shortage problems.
From Granma
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