why?

Water shortage worsens in the world November 24, 14:43

This November, the United Nations Conference on Climate Change Countermeasures "COP27" was held in Egypt.


One of the main themes was "water".

Droughts are becoming more serious around the world, and the impact of climate change is being pointed out.

And if the number of regions with water shortages increases, the impact could extend to Japan as well.

A series of extreme weather events around the world

Record-breaking heat, drought, and floods caused by heavy rains.

Extreme weather events are occurring around the world, and the impact of climate change is being pointed out.

Climate change is now a global issue.

It is even taken up in the junior high school entrance examination.

Let's take a look at one.

Problem


Choose one that is not appropriate as a problem caused by global warming.


Decrease in agricultural production B.

Increased risk of

droughts


and floods C. Increased


heat stroke D. Increased


skin cancer due to depletion of the ozone layer

University-affiliated Showa Junior High School 2022 new title)




The answer is "E".



The depletion of the ozone layer is due to Freon, and everything else is caused by global warming.

Abnormal weather is biased and damage becomes more serious

Of particular concern are droughts and floods.


This year, Europe was hit by a drought that was said to be ``the worst in the past 500 years''.


On the other hand, in Pakistan, a flood occurred that is said to have submerged one-third of the country.

According to UNDRR = United Nations Agency for Disaster Risk Reduction, when comparing the last 20 years with the previous 20 years, droughts have increased 1.29 times and floods have increased 2.34 times.

Especially in areas hit by drought, the land is cracking, dams are drying up, and serious water shortages are occurring.


We asked Taikan Oki, a professor at the University of Tokyo Graduate School, who is familiar with water and climate change, to find out what is happening.

Professor Oki


``Water is unevenly distributed between some countries and some countries, some times when it is abundant and some when it is scarce. If the pattern of rainfall changes due to factors such as climate change, some areas will experience heavy rainfall while others will be drier than ever before.

In other words, if the areas where abnormal weather occurs are biased, the damage is likely to become more serious.

“Fighting due to lack of water”

Population growth is also exacerbating water shortages.


In November, the United Nations announced that the world population had reached 8 billion.

According to a prediction released last year by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), by 2050, 5 billion people in the world, or one in two people, will suffer from water shortages due to global warming and population growth.

Professor Oki


: As the population grows, and as the growing population becomes more and more affluent, the amount of water that each of us uses will increase. When it comes down to whether or not there will be food to eat, it is a matter of life and death, so it will develop into a very serious conflict.”

In some countries, violent conflicts are believed to have occurred.

Iraq in the Middle East.


Drought has dried up 60% of the country, threatening the livelihoods of 7 million people.


A few years ago, armed gunmen erupted in a water-scarce area.

It is believed to have developed from conflicts between tribes over agricultural water.

Water shortage affects Japan

Water scarcity is not just a problem in drought-hit areas.

Professor Oki points out that if the number of regions where agricultural production declines increases, the impact will extend to Japan as well.

Professor Oki


: “Japan imports a lot of food, but if the regions that produce that food, especially wheat and corn, suffer poor harvests due to drought, it will affect our lives. Abnormal weather due to climate change is thought to be the reason for the poor harvest.”

How to prevent water shortage

So what can we do to prevent water shortages?

Professor Oki


: “It is about stabilizing water supply and reducing demand. I think that Japan has a solid society, and has created a society that can respond to similar heavy rains and droughts.His experience, wisdom, and technology I believe that it will be beneficial for us if Japan contributes to stabilizing the water supply of the world by teaching people in areas currently in need of water."

In addition, Oki says there are things we can do directly to reduce the world's demand for water.

Professor Oki


: It is estimated that 2,000 to 3,000 liters, which is 1,000 times the amount of water we drink, is required to make the food we eat every day. More than half of the food we eat comes from overseas. However, wasting it is actually the same as wasting water, so avoiding food waste in Japan's diet is actually the same as valuing water around the world. It means the same."

In "Migake, curiosity!" of "Weekly Maruwaki News" (broadcast at 8:25 am on Sundays), we will delve into the news every week on topics such as current affairs presented in the entrance examination.



Let's think together about "why?"


On the corner homepage, you can also review the past.



Please take a look at the link below.

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/special/maruwaka-migake/