Water is the most abundant compound on Earth's surface, covering about
71% of the planet. However, most of this water (about 97%) is saltwater, found in oceans and
seas.
Despite the abundance of water on Earth, only about 2.5% of it is
freshwater, suitable for drinking. And out of that, less than 1% is easily accessible, with the
rest trapped in glaciers, ice caps, and underground aquifers.
Did you know? About 75% of the human brain is composed of water,
mirroring the astonishing fact that 75% of a living tree is also comprised of this essential
element.
Globally, approximately 4 trillion cubic meters of freshwater are
consumed annually, with agriculture accounting for 75 to 90% of a region's available freshwater.
Surprisingly, it takes a staggering 1000 tons of water to produce just 1 ton of grain!
Every product we consume has a "virtual water" footprint, representing
the amount of water used in its production. For example, it takes about 1,800 gallons (6,814
liters) of water to produce one pound (0.45 kg) of beef.
Around 80% of the world's wastewater is discharged untreated into rivers
and oceans, leading to water pollution and threatening aquatic ecosystems and human health.
Water is a remarkable substance with unique properties. It's the only
natural substance that exists in all three states: solid (ice), liquid (water), and gas (water
vapor) at normal Earth temperatures.