Literature Review: Water Shortage is the next global crisis.

Water shortage
has significantly threatened the world on a global scale /significantly
challenged /is the key danger/biggest threat / globally/confronted by the
world today
Water is an essential part of life. Aside from drinking, water is used in
irrigation, sewage systems, food preparation and transportation. The lack
of water can have an impact on a global scale and already many countries
all over the world suffer from water shortage the result being health
problems, sanitation and even education. However, any people argue that
threats such as global warming and overpopulation exist which are
important than water shortage.
Water shortage can be seen as a global threat for many reasons. McKie
(2015) states in the article, Why fresh water shortages will cause the next
great global crisis that all over the world reservoirs and aquifers are
drying up. McKie further explains how Middle East has been hit hardest by
water scarcity and there is careless use of water in South Asia where
groundwater has been pumped recklessly over the past decade. This
clearly explains some of the causes of water shortage around the world.
Similarly, Khan (2015) lists water scarcity as one of the four biggest
threats to the world stating that water is the new oil. According to Khan,
water crisis has made the biggest impact on the world population and
therefore may result in war over fresh water supplies. This can result in
death as it will affect the population. Equally, in a survey carried by the
World Economic Forum (WEF) called Global Risks 10th Edition (2015:3),
water crisis is number one in regards to having the biggest impact
globally. This suggests that water shortage is a very important issue and
must be acknowledged as a global crisis.
Conversely, it is argued that water shortage is not a global threat.
According to Carle (2015), the top global threat is climate change. The
article Climate change is the to global threat discusses a survey which
shows climate change to be voted as a top global threat by many
countries thus meaning it could be a bigger concern than water shortage.
Furthermore, Radford (2008) explains in The Water Shortage Myth that at
least ninety seven percent of the earth is made of salt water which can be
desalinated into fresh water. This means that there is enough water but it
needs to be purified. Koerth-Baer (2009) supports Radfords idea by citing
Asit Biswas, president of the Third Word Water Centre for Water
Management who claims that there is plenty of water but the main
problem is actually getting the water to the people. This suggests that
water shortage will not be a problem if we distribute it equally to all
countries. Zetland (2008) in The water shortage myth discusses the
water pricing system in which he explains that low prices lead to water
shortages. This suggests that water scarcity can be managed if we charge
higher pricing for water.

McKie writes for the guardian and the website was last edited on March
2015. Although there are no mentions of peer review, the article has been
amended recently which suggests it is being carefully monitored. McKie
obtains his facts from the US Geological Survey which itself is a reliable
organisation. The survey Global risks by WEF is in its 10th edition which
suggests that information is regularly being updated. WEF state facts
backed by statistical evidence from different countries thus reporting facts
objectively. Zetland only discusses the water shortage myth in regards to
Canada and fails to compare and mention any other facts or statistics in
relation to different countries. In the article, Zetland himself explains how
to solve the problem without using secondary sources which suggests that
the article is subjective and bias. On the other hand, Koerth-Baer uses Asit
Biswas as a secondary source which makes it reliable to use as a source
for the opposition in my essay.