NASA Warns That Earth Is Running Out Of Water
New studies have found that humans are draining the Earth’s underground water reserves, which feed into groundwater reserves including rivers and lakes, and it’s not known how much is left. University of California Irvine professor and senior water scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Jay Famiglietti, used data from special NASA satellites to measure groundwater losses. The first study found that of 37 of the Earth’s biggest water reserves, eight were over-stressed and another five were highly stressed, meaning that water is being used at a high rate but not being replenished. The most affected areas were Northern Africa, Pakistan, parts of the Middle East, and drought stricken California.
Scientists’ first issue is how to properly measure the remaining underground water reserves, as current methods aren’t able to accurately measure what’s still below the Earth’s surface. Until they are able to accurately record these levels, the groundwater studies are enough to cause alarm. “Given how quickly we are consuming the world’s groundwater reserves, we need a coordinated global effort to determine how much is left,” said Famiglietti.
Scientists warn that the problem will get worse with effects from climate change and population growth, and urge people to be more conscious of their water usage.
