freshwater can be renewed, but environmentalists consider it nonrenewable. why is there a contradiction in classification? freshwater is recycled through the use of irrigation, bathing, and everyday use. freshwater is easily polluted or depleted before it can be replaced. freshwater evaporates and condenses, and then precipitation returns it to the lakes. freshwater is highly affected by global warming, and is quickly evaporating.
LectureNotes said freshwater can be renewed, but environmentalists consider it nonrenewable. why is there a contradiction in classification?
Answer:
Freshwater is indeed a vital resource that can be renewed through natural processes like the water cycle. The contradiction arises from the way humans interact with freshwater resources and the impact of environmental factors on its availability.
While it is true that freshwater is recycled through processes like irrigation, bathing, and daily use, the rate at which it is being consumed and polluted is a cause for concern. Human activities such as industrial pollution, agricultural runoff, and improper waste disposal can contaminate freshwater sources, making them unfit for consumption and difficult to renew quickly.
Additionally, the natural water cycle, where freshwater evaporates, condenses, and precipitates back into lakes and rivers, is a renewable process. However, the increasing effects of global warming are disrupting this cycle. Rising temperatures lead to more evaporation, which can result in water scarcity in some regions. Climate change also alters precipitation patterns, causing droughts in some areas and floods in others, further impacting freshwater availability.
Therefore, while freshwater has the potential for renewal through natural processes, human activities and environmental changes are putting immense pressure on this valuable resource, leading environmentalists to classify it as nonrenewable in certain contexts due to the challenges in maintaining its quality and quantity for future generations.