Seven graphics explain the state of the world’s water resources

Every person on Earth should have access to reliable water supplies. Water is essential for sanitation, hygiene and daily survival, but in some places conflict over water is becoming more commonplace.

Human Activity is Changing Water Distribution

Half of the surface water in some countries has been depleted between 1984 and 2015, according to an analysis of satellite imagery from the European Commission Joint Research Centre. However, about twice as much new surface water has been added during the same time period from dams and man-made reservoirs.

Most of the surface water loss happened in Central Asia and the Middle East. China’s largest freshwater lake, Poyang Lake, is shrinking at a fast rate from upstream diversions of the Yangtze river. Some parts of it are now completely dry. Landsat images from 2000 and 2016 show how the lake has diminished in size. […]

Full article: To recognize the importance of water for everything we do, we compiled seven graphics that explain the state of the world’s vital water resources.