Tomorrow is World Water Day

And NPR's Talk of the Nation "Science Friday" discusses the issue of fresh water becoming increasingly scarce around the world.

One item I found particularly fascinating: approximately 80% of water around the world is used for agriculture, with most of that going for irrigation. Consequently, transporting food crops--especially grains--around the world can be considered a method of moving fresh water around the world. Since it takes 1000 tons of water to grow one ton of grain, importing the grain is clearly more feasible and efficient than importing the water.

"In effect, world grain markets are now, in some sense, world water markets. This is how water moves from surplus to deficit areas."

(This discussion takes place from 26:00 to 30:00 of the 48 minute broadcast.)