3-31-08, 9:53 am

• Since 1900, the world population has tripled, but the amount of fresh water consumed has multiplied by six.

• The world population is growing by an average of 85 million a year. Worldwide, water consumption doubles every 20 years.

• Water now occupies 70% of the Earth’s surface, but only a little more than 2% is fresh water. Of the planet’s 1.4 billion cubic km of water, only .001% can be used.

• Only 5% of residual water in the world is treated for purification and recycled.

• In order to solve the current situation, some $180 billion needs to be spent annually.

• 12 million people die every year of diseases related to water scarcity.

• According to the United Nations, one out of every five people in the world has no access to potable water, while about 2.4 billion lack adequate sanitation services.

• The World Bank estimates that by the year 2035, half the world’s population will be living in countries with severe water shortage problems.

From Granma