Water Scarcity: What is the Issue & How Can We Address It?
- Water is essential yet limited — only a small fraction of Earth’s water is fresh and usable. Challenges like pollution, population growth and climate change make access uneven worldwide.
- Innovative large-scale solutions include building reservoirs, desalination, smarter city planning and international cooperation on conservation policies.
- Individuals can make a difference, too, by planting drought-resistant gardens, fixing leaks, conserving water at home and supporting community-wide practices.
Did you know that while 70% of the planet is covered in water, only a small fraction is fresh and accessible for daily use? The good news: communities, organizations and individuals around the world are finding creative ways to protect and conserve this precious resource. At Road Scholar, we’re committed to being part of the solution so our classrooms — and the communities we visit — can thrive.
Around the world, water access is shaped by a mix of challenges — growing populations, changing weather patterns, agriculture and pollution all play a role. Yet every challenge also inspires innovation. From smarter city planning to community-led conservation, new approaches are making it possible for people, plants and wildlife to share this vital resource more sustainably.
Deschutes River in Oregon
So, what are the solutions to water scarcity? Fortunately, there are many. At Road Scholar, we fund water restoration credits to return flow to Oregon’s Middle Deschutes River, so wildlife, anglers, rafters and local communities can thrive. Here are a few other large-scale ideas:
- Using reservoirs to collect and preserve water for drier seasons, and desalination to remove salt from seawater for consumption and agriculture
- Encouraging international cooperation and political leadership to commit to conservation
- Getting innovative with civil planning and designing cities and landscapes to work hand-in-hand with available water supplies (Earth.org)
And there’s more! While water scarcity is a global problem, it’s also one where every action — big or small — makes a difference. At Road Scholar, we’re proud to invest in water restoration credits that return flow to Oregon’s Middle Deschutes River during the summer months. These efforts help foster a healthy ecosystem for people who live and recreate in the area, as well as the plants and wildlife that depend on the river.
You can join in the effort, too, with small changes that add up:
- Grow smarter: Plant drought-resistant, native plants and water in the cool morning or evening so every drop nourishes instead of evaporating.
- Fix the drips: Stop leaks in hoses, faucets and toilets to save gallons of water (and money!) without lifting a finger afterward.
- Teach and inspire: Support organizations like Project WET, which help educators show the next generation how valuable water truly is.
- Think community-wide: Advocate for local practices like recycling wastewater, capturing rain runoff and embracing drought-friendly landscaping.
- Cover up: Got a pool? A simple cover can keep water where it belongs instead of disappearing into thin air.
