This article aims to highlight the importance of water for life on planet Earth, present how water emerged on our planet and demonstrate the lack of rationality in the use of water for its various purposes on planet Earth. Research carried out by the São Paulo State University (Unesp), Guaratinguetá campus, in collaboration with the Federal Technological University of Paraná (UTFPR) and the Astrobiology Institute of the North American space agency (NASA), considered that existing water on planet Earth would have become originated from comets (30%), asteroids (50%) and the solar nebula (20%) that collided with Earth. Around 800 million people do not have access to drinking water around the world, 2.5 billion people do not have basic sanitation and, between 3 billion and 4 billion people, which corresponds to half of the world's population, do not have access to water on a permanent basis using water of questionable quality every day and 11% of the world's population still shares water with animals in riverbeds. According to the WHO (World Health Organization), seven people die every minute in the world from drinking rotten water and more than 1 billion people still defecate in the open. The OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) reports that global water demand will increase by 55% by 2050. The forecast is that this year, 2.3 billion additional people – more than 40% of the world's population – will not have access to water if adequate measures are not adopted. Therefore, we have nothing to celebrate on World Water Day.

1. 1
IN DEFENSE OF THE RATIONAL USE OF WATER, A SOURCE OF LIFE, ON
WORLD WATER DAY
Fernando Alcoforado*
This article aims to highlight the importance of water for life on planet Earth, present how
water emerged on our planet and demonstrate the lack of rationality in the use of water
for its various purposes on planet Earth. World Water Day, March 22, a date created by
the UN, serves to remind us that preserving water is crucial for life on the planet as we
know it. Everyone knows that water is the source of life. Water is an essential natural
resource, whether as a biochemical component of living beings, as a means of life for
various plant and animal species and as a production factor for various final and
intermediate consumer goods. Water is a primordial source of life for all plants and is
also very important for the lives of animals, as they depend on it for breathing, digestion
and reproduction, as well as for humans. There is no doubt that water is the most
important asset for the existence of life on planet Earth. We all know the importance of
water for maintaining our bodies.
Water is everywhere on Earth – in clouds, in rain, in the oceans, in rivers and even in our
own bodies – and we can easily find it in any of its liquid, solid or gaseous states. More
than two thirds of the human body is made up of water, our brain is made up of 75%
water, blood is made up of 81% and lungs are almost 90%. It is estimated that, on average,
the human body can survive weeks without food, but most people only stay alive for 2 to
4 days without water. The fact is that about 71% of the Earth's surface is covered in water,
which is why we call Earth the blue planet. Many people ask how water appeared on
Earth? The original source of water on Earth has been a long-standing mystery. Scientists
from different areas of knowledge - physics, chemistry, biology, geophysics, astronomy,
among others - have been seeking to answer that question for decades.
Research carried out by the São Paulo State University (Unesp), Guaratinguetá campus,
in collaboration with the Federal Technological University of Paraná (UTFPR) and the
Astrobiology Institute of the North American space agency (NASA), developed a
computerized model to determine the origin of the water and life on Earth [1]. This
research was carried out within the scope of the research project “Orbital dynamics of
small objects”, supported by FAPESP (São Paulo State Research Support Foundation).
The model was described in an article published in The Astrophysical Journal, of the
American Astronomical Society, and presented on 02/24/2014 at the UK-Brazil-Chile
Frontiers of Science. The hypotheses studied considered that water on planet Earth would
have originated from comets, asteroids and the solar nebula that collided with Earth.
According to this new model, computer simulations indicated that comets contributed, at
most, 30% of the amount of water on planet Earth. Asteroids contributed more than 50%
and a small portion was contribution of the solar nebula, with 20% participation [1].
These considered hypotheses were based on the fact that most astronomers believe that
asteroids and comets collided with our early planet and brought water to Earth. These
hypotheses suggest that these space rocks (asteroids and comets) carried the minerals and
frozen water that form them into interplanetary space, until they collided with the Earth
and deposited their contents on our surface. The other hypothesis is that the action of the
solar wind (flow of charged particles emanating from the Sun) created water on the
surface of tiny dust grains and these small amounts of water were probably the seeds of
future chains, providing the rest of the Earth's water.

2. 2
Regarding the contribution of the solar nebula, it is important to note that silicate grains
(dust) from the solar nebula (a cloud of gas and dust in the cosmos directly related to the
origin of the Solar System) would have encapsulated water molecules during the initial
stage of formation of the Solar System. This hypothesis, when hydrogen ions strike an
atmosphere less surface, such as an asteroid or a speck of dust in space, they penetrate a
few tens of nanometers below the surface of that grain, where they can affect the chemical
composition of the rock. Over time, hydrogen ions can eject enough oxygen atoms from
materials in the rock to create H2O, water. The solar wind-derived water produced by the
early Solar System is isotopically light and indicates that grains of fine dust, buffeted by
solar particles and entrained into the forming Earth billions of years ago may have been
the source of the planet's water [2].
Around 97.5% of the water on our planet is present in the oceans and seas, in the form of
salt water, that is, unfit for human consumption and that of most other living beings. Of
the remaining 2.5%, which makes up the total existing freshwater, 2/3 is stored in glaciers
and polar ice caps. Approximately 0.77% of all water is available for our consumption,
being found in the form of rivers, lakes, groundwater, including water present in the soil,
atmosphere (humidity) and biota [1]. Worldwide, there is a widespread view that water is
an inexhaustible resource. This is, however, a huge mistake because water resources,
although renewable, are limited. It is important to highlight that, of all available fresh
water, 70% of fresh water is used in irrigation, 22% in industry and only 8% for domestic
use [3].
Around 800 million people do not have access to drinking water around the world, 2.5
billion people do not have basic sanitation and, between 3 billion and 4 billion people,
which corresponds to half of the world's population, do not have access to water on a
permanent basis using water of questionable quality every day and 11% of the world's
population still shares water with animals in riverbeds. According to the WHO (World
Health Organization), seven people die every minute in the world from drinking rotten
water and more than 1 billion people still defecate in the open. The OECD (Organization
for Economic Cooperation and Development) reports that global water demand will
increase by 55% by 2050. The forecast is that this year, 2.3 billion additional people –
more than 40% of the world's population – will not have access to water if adequate
measures are not adopted [3].
Humanity currently uses 50% of the planet's fresh water. In 40 years, humanity will use
80%. The geographic distribution of freshwater is uneven. Currently 1/3 of the world's
population lives in regions where it is scarce. The use of unsafe water is responsible for
60% of the world's sick people. Half of the world's rivers are contaminated by sewage,
pesticides and industrial waste. UN report on water use confirms that, without measures
against waste and in favor of sustainable consumption, access to drinking water and
sanitation will be further reduced. UNICEF reports that every 15 seconds, a child dies
from diseases related to the lack of drinking water, sanitation and hygiene conditions in
the world. Every year, 3.5 million people die in the world due to problems related to
inadequate water supply, lack of sanitation and the absence of hygiene policies, according
to representatives of 28 United Nations organizations, which are part of UN-Water. In the
Report on the Development of Water Resources, a document that UN-Water publishes
every three years, researchers highlight that almost 10% of diseases recorded around the
world could be avoided if governments invested more in access to water, hygiene and
basic sanitation [4].

3. 3
Diarrheal diseases could be practically eliminated if this effort were made, especially in
developing countries. This type of disease, generally related to drinking contaminated
water, kills 1.5 million people annually. Several factors influence the occurrence of
diarrhea, such as the availability of drinking water, food poisoning, inadequate hygiene
and cleaning of water tanks [5]. Although the amount of water available in the world is
constant, the demand, however, is growing, due to the increase in population and
agricultural production, generating a climate of uncertainty and the possibility of internal
conflicts occurring in several countries and also international conflicts. The OECD states
that conflicts normally occur within the same country, as the population has different
needs in relation to the use of water (for agriculture or consumption, for example) and
this generates disputes [3].
Water is becoming a source of war due to international competition for water resources.
Many countries build large dams diverting water from natural river drainage systems to
the detriment of others. The main water conflicts in the world today involve Israel, Jordan
and Palestine over the Jordan River, Turkey and Syria over the Euphrates River, China
and India over the Brahmaputra River, Botswana, Angola and Namibia over the
Okavango River, Ethiopia, Uganda, Sudan and Egypt over the River Nile and Bangladesh
and India over the Ganges River. On the American continent, the conflict between the
United States and Mexico over water from the Colorado River has intensified in recent
years [6].
Report released by the United Nations on 03/20/2015 informs that, if nothing is done, the
world's water reserves could reduce by 40% by 2030, also pointing out that 748 million
people on the planet will not have access to sources of drinking water. According to the
document, 20% of the world's aquifers are already excessively exploited, which can
generate serious consequences such as soil erosion and the invasion of salt water in these
reservoirs. Scientists also predict that by 2050, agriculture and the food industry will need
to increase their demand for water by 400% to increase production. UN report released
on 3/22/2023 shows that planet Earth is at imminent risk of water scarcity. In the report,
the UN warns that water scarcity is becoming an endemic problem, due to three factors -
pollution, excessive demand and, of course, climate change. Scientists say that 3.5 billion
people - that's almost half the global population - already face water-stressed conditions
during part of the year. At least 2 billion people do not have access to drinking water and
up to 3.6 billion people do not have minimum basic sanitation conditions. The report also
makes a projection: in cities, the number of people who will face water shortages could
reach 2.5 billion by 2050 - almost double compared to data from 2016. Those responsible
for the study state that only effective management and water care can guarantee resources
in the future [7].
Based on the above, the situation described regarding water in the world tends to worsen
given the deficiency and irrationality in government policies relating to the protection of
the natural environment, including springs and watercourses and the poor management
of basic sanitation in numerous countries around the world. Furthermore, international
conflicts over the use of water will not be properly resolved because there is no
international body with sufficient authority to enable their solution. The UN would need
to be restructured to become a world government to solve this problem. Conflicts over
water tend to worsen even more with desertification intensified by climate change
resulting from global warming, which is currently worsening throughout the world.
Furthermore, on a daily basis, rivers, streams, beds and aquifers are contaminated by
poorly treated sewage systems, the use of pesticides on crops and the disposal of toxic
waste from industries. Therefore, we have nothing to celebrate on World Water Day.

4. 4
REFERENCES
1. LEAL, Marcelo Domingos. Origem da Água na Terra. Available on the website
<https://www.parquedaciencia.pr.gov.br/Noticia/Origem-da-Agua-na-Terra>, 2014.
2. OLIVEIRA, Nicolas. Como a água surgiu na Terra? Available on the website
https://www.tecmundo.com.br/ciencia/253443-agua-surgiu-terra.htm, 2022.
3. VOCÊSABIA? Escassez de água na Terra vai gerar conflitos. Available on the website
<https://www.vocesabia.net/saude/escassez-de-agua-na-terra-vai-gerar-conflitos/>,
2012.
4. AGÊNCIA BRASIL. Falta saneamento básico para 2 bilhões de pessoas no
mundo, diz ONU. Available on the website
<https://agenciabrasil.ebc.com.br/geral/noticia/2019-03/falta-saneamento-basico-
para-2-bilhoes-de-pessoas-no-mundo-diz-onu>, 2009.
5. FOLHA MUNDO. Falta de água de qualidade mata uma criança a cada 15
segundos no mundo, revela Unicef. Available on the website
<https://www.folha1.com.br/_conteudo/2013/03/mundo/647971-falta-de-agua-de-
qualidade-mata-uma-crianca-a-cada-15-segundos-no-mundo-revela-unicef.html>,
2013.
6. ALCOFORADO, Fernando. Água e seus gigantescos problemas mundiais.
Available on the website <https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/%C3%A1gua-e-seus-
gigantescos-problemas-mundiais-fernando-alcoforado/?originalSubdomain=pt>,
2019.
7. G1.GLOBO. Planeta está sob risco iminente de escassez de água, diz ONU.
Available on the website <https://g1.globo.com/bom-dia-
brasil/noticia/2023/03/22/planeta-esta-sob-risco-iminente-de-escassez-de-agua-diz-
onu.ghtml>).
* Fernando Alcoforado, awarded the medal of Engineering Merit of the CONFEA / CREA System, member
of the Bahia Academy of Education, of the SBPC- Brazilian Society for the Progress of Science and of
IPB- Polytechnic Institute of Bahia, engineer from the UFBA Polytechnic School and doctor in Territorial
Planning and Regional Development from the University of Barcelona, college professor (Engineering,
Economy and Administration) and consultant in the areas of strategic planning, business planning, regional
planning, urban planning and energy systems, was Advisor to the Vice President of Engineering and
Technology at LIGHT S.A. Electric power distribution company from Rio de Janeiro, Strategic Planning
Coordinator of CEPED- Bahia Research and Development Center, Undersecretary of Energy of the State
of Bahia, Secretary of Planning of Salvador, is the author of the books Globalização (Editora Nobel, São
Paulo, 1997), De Collor a FHC- O Brasil e a Nova (Des)ordem Mundial (Editora Nobel, São Paulo, 1998),
Um Projeto para o Brasil (Editora Nobel, São Paulo, 2000), Os condicionantes do desenvolvimento do
Estado da Bahia (Tese de doutorado. Universidade de
Barcelona,http://www.tesisenred.net/handle/10803/1944, 2003), Globalização e Desenvolvimento (Editora
Nobel, São Paulo, 2006), Bahia- Desenvolvimento do Século XVI ao Século XX e Objetivos Estratégicos
na Era Contemporânea (EGBA, Salvador, 2008), The Necessary Conditions of the Economic and Social
Development- The Case of the State of Bahia (VDM Verlag Dr. Müller Aktiengesellschaft & Co. KG,
Saarbrücken, Germany, 2010), Aquecimento Global e Catástrofe Planetária (Viena- Editora e Gráfica,
Santa Cruz do Rio Pardo, São Paulo, 2010), Amazônia Sustentável- Para o progresso do Brasil e combate
ao aquecimento global (Viena- Editora e Gráfica, Santa Cruz do Rio Pardo, São Paulo, 2011), Os Fatores
Condicionantes do Desenvolvimento Econômico e Social (Editora CRV, Curitiba, 2012), Energia no
Mundo e no Brasil- Energia e Mudança Climática Catastrófica no Século XXI (Editora CRV, Curitiba,
2015), As Grandes Revoluções Científicas, Econômicas e Sociais que Mudaram o Mundo (Editora CRV,
Curitiba, 2016), A Invenção de um novo Brasil (Editora CRV, Curitiba, 2017), Esquerda x Direita e a sua
convergência (Associação Baiana de Imprensa, Salvador, 2018), Como inventar o futuro para mudar o
mundo (Editora CRV, Curitiba, 2019), A humanidade ameaçada e as estratégias para sua sobrevivência
(Editora Dialética, São Paulo, 2021), A escalada da ciência e da tecnologia e sua contribuição ao progresso
e à sobrevivência da humanidade (Editora CRV, Curitiba, 2022), a chapter in the book Flood Handbook
(CRC Press, Boca Raton, Florida United States, 2022), How to protect human beings from threats to their

5. 5
existence and avoid the extinction of humanity (Generis Publishing, Europe, Republic of Moldova,
Chișinău, 2023) and A revolução da educação necessária ao Brasil na era contemporânea (Editora CRV,
Curitiba, 2023).