Page 11 - SGG_220316_Teachers_Handbook_Module_1

Where is water on Earth?
Fresh water Rivers
2,50% 0,49%
Surface/other Atmosphere
freshwater Ground water 3% Lakes
1,20%
Other Saline 30,10% Soil Moisture 20,90%
Water 3,80%
0,90%

Glaciers and Gound Ice and
Oceans Ice Caps permafrost
96,50%
68,70% 69%

Total global water Fresh water Surface water and other freshwater

Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_resourceslife/resources/management-essential-
guide/new-issue-needs-solved/

In a nutshell, suppose Earth's water is represented by 100 cups, only 2.5 cups are freshwater. More
than half of the world's freshwater resources are contained in 9 countries, as shown in the image
below.

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Source: www.waterconservation.gov.hk

Even in more water abundant countries, water resources may not be evenly distributed among
different regions. Water, once an abundant natural resource, is becoming a more valuable
commodity due to droughts and overuse. Severe droughts have occurred in many countries in recent
years:

This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This communication reflects the
views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the

information contained therein.