Article 2: Singapore gearing up for increasing water stress in Asia.

Article 2: Singapore gearing up for increasing water stress in Asia.

1. People affected by water shortages

   • 800 million Asians (According to statistics from 2000)
   • A billion more Asians by 2050 according to MIT academic journal, PLoS ONE

2. Causes of the water stress

   • Increasing economy
     • Impact on society and politics
       • Overcrowding, foreign talent, immigrants, pressure on infrastructure, racial/social tensions
   • Increasing population size
   • Climate change

3. Solutions

   • Technology: Researchers use computer simulations to identify which cause has the greatest impact on SIngapore's water stress
   • 4 main sources of water; local catchements, imported water, NEWater, desalination
   • PUB
     • PUB will continue to develop new methods to minimise the cost and energy consumption of water production while enhancing the resilence of the water supply
     • PUB will encourage the public to save water
     • Commercial water users that use 60,000 cubic m of water or more a year have to submit Water Efficiency Management plans

4. Other countries

   • China
     • Main driver: Industrial growth
   • India
     • Population growth
   • Malaysia
     • Facing dry spells which emphasises need to diversify water sources.

5. Issue

   • In 2060, water demand is expected to double: 430 million gallons a day
   • Lack natural freshwater sources and fossil fuel reserves