Freshwater Use, Freshwater Scarcity and Socioeconomic Development

Introduction

This paper will review the critically review the article “Freshwater Use, Freshwater Scarcity, and Socioeconomic Development” written by Michael T. Rock. The article discussed the issue of freshwater scarcity that has developed with the socioeconomic development of the world. Discusses several past studies which have suggested a positive correlation between population, income growth and the demands for fresh water. The author indicated that when population or income of the people rises, people consume more freshwater resources that lead to freshwater scarcity. The centre point of the study addresses the socioeconomic developments throughout the world; especially in develop countries which have caused structural transformation in the use of freshwater resources which in turn has contributed a freshwater scarcity. The author discusses that with the progress socioeconomic development of mankind, people must re-think the issue of freshwater scarcity and its use in order to protect and preserve those resources for good past and present (Baumol & Oates, Pp.25-29). Rock has explicitly state the problem which demonstrate the importance of the study and its outcomes.

Critical Analysis

The research article under review is aligned through a research question, which asks that “can the combination of educational, trade and population policies by governments in water scarce countries can effectively work towards saving the freshwater resources without hampering the socioeconomic developments?” The explicitly demonstration of the problem statement and research question in the beginning reflects strong understanding of the author with the research. It is important to hook the attention of the reader, which author did through defining the problem in the beginning. Micheal T. Rock in the literature review part of the study discusses different sources to further explain the nature of the subject, which consolidating the importance of the study. In the literature review part, the autho discusses that plentiful evidence shows that freshwater resources are becoming progressively scarcer with the progressively made socioeconomic developments. World population is on the rise and making lowering per capita supplies of freshwater. However, increase in world population is not the only manifestation that is contributing in the growing freshwater scarcity. Socioeconomic developments throughout the world, especially in developed countries are fuelled and sustained by use of freshwater resources. For example, freshwater is used, among other things, to generate electricity, grow food and to run big industries. Moreover, when socioeconomic developments make use of scarce freshwater resources, the use carry pollution that does more damage to the already scarce freshwater resources and make the problem worse.

The author citing Falkenmark claimed that by one measure, this freshwater scarcity problem will affect around 3 billion people in 2025 if socioeconomic developments keep their pace and we humans keep our heads in sand when it comes to solve this crucial problem (Falkenmark, Pp.27-35). The author of the study has effectively reviewed the relevant literature, by using different sources as literature.

The author claims that the supply for potential global renewable usable freshwater resources is essentially fixed. This fact is indeed undeniable, however, since the spacing ...