Question

Explain how water becomes a renewable resource.

Answer 1

Hint: Water is a necessity because without it life cannot exist. Water is essential for agriculture, household, industries and environmental activities.

Complete Answer: The Earth at times is referred to as a watery planet because water is in abundance on earth and is a rare commodity in our solar system. The total Earth’s area is covered with 70.8 percent and the remaining is with the landmass, out of which only 2.5 percent of water is fresh.

The freshwater which is used by humans usually ends up in the sea and then enters the hydrological cycle. The hydrological cycle is the continuous exchange of water among the oceans, pond surface, subsurface, atmosphere and the organisms. In other words, it is the circulation of water within the hydrosphere of the earth in liquid, solid and gaseous forms. The water that disappears from the earth surface gets renewed through the processes of evaporation, condensation and precipitation, over and over again. The process of evaporation, condensation and precipitation is never-ending and the water keeps on circulating in nature in different forms. The circulation of water through the hydrological cycle makes water a renewable resource.

However, water is becoming scarce due to the increase in world population. More population means more consumption of water, disrupting the hydrological cycle. The time required for renewal is shortened resulting in scarcity of water. Necessary measures should be taken to conserve water, a renewable resource needed for life to exist. Various water harvesting measures, afforestation, construction of check dams would help us in water conservation.

Note: A renewable resource is a resource which can be used over and over again, repeatedly. A renewable resource does not run out because it is naturally replaced.