Moves Further Along the 21st Century, Many

¶ … moves further along the 21st century, many of its necessities are often taken for granted. The resources that sustain the human population today may not be readily available tomorrow, which will ultimately lead to an overwhelming rise in cost and perhaps a global crisis. Among these depleting resources, and probably the most important, is water. Although it makes up 70% of our earth, only a fraction of that is drinkable. In addition, clean water is also important to support the planet's agricultural needs, which, as the population grows, continue to become more demanding. These factors may lead to a severe increase in the cost of water and make conservation efforts remarkably important.

If one could visit a local store and spend less than '$500.00 today on something that would be dramatically more valuable tomorrow and bury it for future generations to discover, clean drinking water would be an intelligent choice. Although water can be purchased for a dollar per gallon on average at a grocery store, it can currently be acquired virtually anywhere, sometimes even for free. Usually in America, one can walk into a restaurant, ask for a glass of water, and be served at no cost.

200 years from now, if the earth was indeed experiencing some sort of water crisis, the discovery of hundreds of gallons of fresh water could bring the owner much fortune. Unlike gold or oil, which will also hold significant value, water is a main fundamental of life and to be able to use it without some sort of chemical treatment may be a luxury few will be able to enjoy.

In this day and age, fresh water may seem plentiful. It can be seen all around the world in puddles, creeks, rivers, and lakes and it is difficult to imagine such a reality where such bodies may not be present. As populations and pollution rates rise, the availability of fresh water diminishes. For instance, some areas in the world are already experiencing the realities of a diminishing fresh water supply. According to Larry West, "More than a billion people -- almost one-fifth of the world's population -- lack access to safe drinking water, and 40% lack access to basic sanitation, according to the 2nd UN World Water Development Report." (West, 1)

Typically, while in a crisis, societies tend to limit their usage of the material that is experiencing a shortage. For example, during an oil crisis, it may become necessary to carefully monitor the amount of gasoline being used and ration it accordingly. Also, a family may lower the average temperature in their home to lessen the amount of energy used. The problem with this approach in a water crisis is the vital role it plays in the health and well being of the human race, which grants it the potential to be worth a significant amount of money in such a situation.