This month a study was published in Environmental Research Letters that revealed truly massive amounts of groundwater stored under the surface of the African continent. Though not all the water can be extracted the total volume of water mapped is about 660 000 cubic kilometres - 100 times more than "the annual renewable freshwater resources" of Africa, and 20 times greater than all the freshwater lakes. Lying in rock basins, between layers of rock, or in some cases held within the rocks themselves, most of the large underground reserves or aquifers have been found in Northern Africa particularly Libya, Sudan, Egypt, Chad and Algeria. They are mostly the result of rain or snow that fell in the region about 5 000 years ago and seeped through the surface to the sedimentary and more porous rocks below. On a continent where 300 000 000 people lack access to safe drinking water and only about 5% of arable land is irrigated this is an incredible discovery. Access to clean water is the key to all forms of social development, through which communities' health improves, economies strengthen, education is prioritized and the production of goods becomes possible. Several concerns are already being voiced. Conventional large-scale drilling and pumping of the biggest reserves poses political and environmental questions. The groundwater is essentially a non-renewable resource - just like oil, coal, or silver. When it's all gone, that's it. The potential for mismanagement is also worrying. There are too many stereotypical but tragically true cases of corrupt leaders forsaking the needs of the people for profit, partnered by unscrupulous multinational corporation. Coca Cola, Pepsi and Danone are in a water war to corner the bottled water market of Mexico - another country where due to it's population distribution an alarming number of people lack adequate water supplies. Coca Cola's supremacy in the soda market was largely due to the unheard of number of concessions it was allowed by the government to utilize Mexico's groundwater supplies and rivers. The fact that former president Vincente Fox was also a former president of Coca Cola Mexico raised questions as to the relationship between government and the beverage corporation. A further issue is the removal of vegetation and forests that often occurs when large scale extractions take place which would ultimately be detrimental and offset any short term water gains. Land devoid of plant life is unable to remain stable and precious top soil can be lost to wind and run-off after rains, nor is it able to trap water and create the very aquifers that have been found. For many, the huge amounts of water offer hope against the constant vulnerability they face in harsh and changeable climates. Whatever is to be done with the water it's clear that a great deal of thought needs to go into the planning, with the long-term needs of both the environment and the end users in mind. A good start would be to make all processes as transparent as possible, and to acknowledge our connection to all species, nations and the planet through water. Sources: "Huge" Water Resource Exists Under Africa, BBC News Coca-Cola and Water Resources in Chiapas
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