Germany's Water Crisis: 10 Billion Cubic Meters Lost Annually
Germany faces severe water challenges. The German Aerospace Center (DLR) reports an annual water loss of 10 billion cubic meters. Meanwhile, global water scarcity affects nearly two billion people. Locally, summer 2020 saw drinking water emergencies and rationing.
Water usage in Germany is significant. Daily consumption per person stands at 124 liters, but 'virtual water' in products pushes this to 5,288 liters. A single T-shirt requires 2,700 liters, and a kilogram of beef under intensive farming needs 15,500 liters. Rising temperatures and careless use exacerbate scarcity.
Innovative technologies can help combat this. However, the ÖDP demands immediate action, including reducing fertilizer application, creating riparian protection strips, stricter industrial wastewater monitoring, and designating water protection areas. Rivers are often polluted by agriculture, industry, and wastewater containing substances from cleaning, plant protection, and medicinal products.
Germany's water situation is dire, with significant annual losses and dropping groundwater levels. Global water scarcity affects billions. Innovative solutions and immediate action, as demanded by the ÖDP, are crucial to protect and preserve Germany's water resources.
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