The most valuable resource

In my opinion, the most important global environmental problem is the growing lack of access to fresh water. Of course, there are many environmental problems in addition to this one. We are continually depleting resources like oil, coal, and wood, and in doing so we are also polluting the atmosphere and causing climate change. However, I believe that with time, effort, and new technology, we can find different sources of energy and reduce the effects of global warming. One thing that we cannot replace or find a substitute for is water. It is vital for every single person's survival, and yet we continue to overuse and abuse our access to fresh water in so many different ways. Rivers, lakes, and oceans are continuously polluted by factories, ships, and other watercraft vehicles. Also, access to water is a huge problem because corporations and individuals use more than their fair share. The production of most goods uses a copious amount of water, and oftentimes the companies that produce these goods are so powerful that they use up precious water even in times of drought.

Relocation of water is another huge problem. Although it seems ridiculous that someone could claim to own a body of water when it should be a shared natural resource like the air and the sun, I was shocked to learn that in 1998 Ontario was in the process of making a deal to export billions of gallons of water from Lake Ontario to Asia. I'm from Akron, Ohio, so I've grown up very close to the Great Lakes. They are the world's largest source of fresh water, and it scares me that there was even a possibility of relocating that much water to the other side of the globe. The Great Lakes are so important for many major cities' water supply, and it is vital to protect this resource. Recently, a compact to protect these bodies of water was approved by the Senate, but it still needs to be approved by Congress and all eight states bordering the lakes.

Since everyone needs water to survive, no one is immune to this environmental problem. If the water supply is polluted, or if there is no water available in certain areas, large groups of people are affected. As our population increases, our demand for water does as well. We need to realize that we only have so much water, and there is no replacement for it. We cannot survive without water, so it is necessary to recognize the importance of keeping it clean and preserving it. We can do so through legislation to regulate the waste disposal methods of factories, the emissions of watercraft vehicles, and the distribution of water. Individuals can help as well by conserving the amount of water they use for everyday tasks such as doing laundry, taking showers, watering lawns, and washing cars. Every action counts.