When it comes to absolutely critical commodities, there's no question that this one is at the top of the list. By a long way.
You need it. I need it. Every single person in the world needs it. It's without doubt the most precious commodity on the face of the planet. No matter what country you live in...or whether you're rich or poor...there is nothing more important to basic human survival.
For all the talk about oil, natural gas, and even electricity, those resources pale in comparison to this essential commodity - one that we can't live without, and whose demand will never decline. In fact, thanks to population growth and global warming, demand is actually set to increase markedly over the coming years.
But the world is struggling to cope with a very serious shortage in 80 countries around the globe - one that is approaching "crisis" level. Even in America's own backyard.
We're talking about investing in water - a $460 billion global market, and an investment sector that some analysts have dubbed "blue gold," because of the immense profit potential this resource holds.
Water, Water Everywhere...Or Is There?
When you pour a glass of water or take a shower, you expect that once you turn on the tap, clear, fresh water will flow out. In America, we take this for granted. But the fact is...water is becoming very scarce - and may be destined to become the most sought-after commodity in history.
Just take a look at the facts: The International Food Policy Research Institute says that by 2020, the world will have an additional two billion people, who will require 20% more water than is currently available.
Within 50 years over half the global population will be living with water shortages. In fact, water shortages currently affect 80 countries and will affect 4 billion people by 2050.
The water level of the Dead Sea has fallen 66 feet in the past 100 years and is now losing about 3 feet each year.
At current consumption rates, New Delhi will run out of ground water by 2015. The country has drilled more than 21 million wells that now pull over 200 cubic kilometers of water out of the earth - and it's still not enough.
Two-thirds of China already faces water shortages.
The list goes on. And don't bet on anyone suddenly discovering any more water either. Like land, we have a fixed, finite amount. There is absolutely no way to make more water and no substitute for it, regardless of price. It can't be increased by technological breakthrough or scientific discovery.
As Jeffrey Sachs, director of the United Nations Millennium Project, bluntly states: "The world is running out of water. We need a radical plan to tackle shortages that threaten the ability of humanity to feed itself."
Did You Know?
The average person uses 232 gallons of water each day! That number includes the amount of water used to produce the food we consume, the water we drink, the water we use for household purposes, and the water we bathe with. The Investing In Water Twin Killing: Global Warming And Population Growth Global warming and rampant population growth are the two main drivers of today's water-related problems.
In June 2006, the National Academy of Sciences said Earth is now the hottest it's been for 400 years, with the surface temperature of the earth having risen by 1 degree Fahrenheit over last 100 years. While that's not much in practical terms, it's enough to trigger substantial changes in the world's water resources and wreak havoc on eco-systems, erode shorelines, dry aquifers, and cause massive water shortages across the world. For example:
Time magazine says: "Mount Kilimanjaro has lost 75% of its ice cap." And it could lose all its ice by 2020.
In 2005, the British Antarctic Society said the West Antarctic Ice Sheet could be melting, which could cause seawater to rise 16 feet globally.
The Dead Sea water level has fallen more than 66 feet in the past 100 years, and is now losing about three feet each year.
At current consumption rates, New Delhi will run out of ground water by 2015.
Lake Chad in Africa is now 1/20th the size that it was 35 years ago. On top of that, you have massive global population growth...
What Is An Aquifer? If you dig a hole on the beach, it eventually begins to fill up with water. This is basically an aquifer. Obviously, there's no underground river running to the hole you've just dug; instead, you've just dug down to where the earth is saturated with water, which then releases the groundwater into the hole. With immense population growth, aquifers can run dry, create sinkholes, or become contaminated.
Population Overload...Water Undersupply
In 1900, there were roughly 1.6 billion people on the planet. Today, there are 6.5 billion. Since 1940 alone, annual global population growth has risen by 1.5% to 2%, while global water use has increased by an average 2.5% to 3%.
But here's the problem: 97.5% of the world's water is seawater, unfit for human consumption. That leaves just 2.5% of fresh water resources. Moreover, only about 0.1% of all water is actually available to use. Most of it is locked up in glaciers, groundwater, and soil.
By 2025, the world population is expected to rise to 9
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