Global patterns of water availability and demand
Fresh water is not spread evenly across the planet. Some regions have far more than they need, while others face serious shortages because demand outstrips supply.
Real World
Brazil has exceptional water availability — the Amazon basin holds roughly 20% of all fresh surface water — yet São Paulo suffered a near-total reservoir failure in 2015 due to drought and rapid urban demand growth, illustrating how availability and access are not the same thing.
Exam Focus
Use the 1,700 m³ and 1,000 m³ thresholds as precise evidence when explaining water stress and scarcity — examiners reward quantified detail.
Essay Framework
Use PEEL to structure every paragraph. Tap each step for guidance and an example.
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