Is water the new oil?

Abstract

Comment and opinion Current knowledge and thinking around water issues will not be enough to solve South Africa’s water challenges of the near future. So writes Dr Anthony Turton, Director of Touchstone Resources and Professor at the Centre for Environmental Management at the University of the Free State. The simple truth is that human population growth is outstripping our supply of freshwater. The total volume of water on Earth is 1,4 billion km3. Of this a staggering 97,5% is saltwater found in the sea. The remaining 2,5% of the global water reserves (35 million km 3) is fresh water.

Authors

Categories