Global Water Crisis Trivia Quiz

1. Everyone in the world has clean drinking water.

True

False

The statement is false because not everyone in the world has access to clean drinking water. According to the World Health Organization, around 785 million people still lack basic drinking water services. This means that a significant portion of the global population does not have access to safe and clean drinking water, leading to various health issues and challenges.

Explanation

The statement is false because not everyone in the world has access to clean drinking water. According to the World Health Organization, around 785 million people still lack basic drinking water services. This means that a significant portion of the global population does not have access to safe and clean drinking water, leading to various health issues and challenges.

2. The average African uses the same amount of water in one day as someone in a developed country (like you) uses to do what?

Brush their teeth for 2 minutes with the tap running

Run a lawn sprinkler for a minute.

Flush a toilet.

Any of the above

The average Sub-Saharan uses about 2.5 to 5 gallons of water each day compared to an adult or kid in the US who uses about 80 gallons a day!

Explanation

The average Sub-Saharan uses about 2.5 to 5 gallons of water each day compared to an adult or kid in the US who uses about 80 gallons a day!

3. How far do you think the average woman in a developing country (like Africa) must walk each day to get water for her family?

1/2 a mile

Less than 100 feet

1 or 2 miles

4 or more miles

In many developing countries, women are responsible for fetching water for their families. Due to lack of access to clean water sources, they often have to walk long distances to find water. The answer "4 or more miles" suggests that the average woman in a developing country, like Africa, has to walk at least 4 miles or more each day to get water for her family. This highlights the immense physical burden and hardship faced by women in these regions in order to meet their basic needs.

Explanation

In many developing countries, women are responsible for fetching water for their families. Due to lack of access to clean water sources, they often have to walk long distances to find water. The answer "4 or more miles" suggests that the average woman in a developing country, like Africa, has to walk at least 4 miles or more each day to get water for her family. This highlights the immense physical burden and hardship faced by women in these regions in order to meet their basic needs.

4. Most of the world is made up of sea. But exactly how much of the sea is NOT salty?

0.5%

15%

50%

4.2%

Approximately 4.2% of the sea is not salty. This is because the majority of the world's water bodies, including oceans and seas, have a high concentration of salt due to the dissolved minerals. However, there are certain areas where the salinity is lower, such as estuaries, where freshwater from rivers mixes with seawater. These regions contribute to the overall percentage of the sea that is not salty.

Explanation

Approximately 4.2% of the sea is not salty. This is because the majority of the world's water bodies, including oceans and seas, have a high concentration of salt due to the dissolved minerals. However, there are certain areas where the salinity is lower, such as estuaries, where freshwater from rivers mixes with seawater. These regions contribute to the overall percentage of the sea that is not salty.

5. How many people in the world do not have access to clean drinking water?

1 in 3 people

1 in 6 people

1 in 10 people

1 in 20 people

Approximately 1 in 6 people in the world do not have access to clean drinking water. This means that around 1.1 billion people lack access to safe and clean water sources, leading to various health issues and even deaths. The lack of clean drinking water poses a significant challenge to global development and efforts to eradicate poverty. Access to clean water is a basic human right and is crucial for maintaining good health and sanitation.

Explanation

Approximately 1 in 6 people in the world do not have access to clean drinking water. This means that around 1.1 billion people lack access to safe and clean water sources, leading to various health issues and even deaths. The lack of clean drinking water poses a significant challenge to global development and efforts to eradicate poverty. Access to clean water is a basic human right and is crucial for maintaining good health and sanitation.

6. What proportion of the world's major rivers are very polluted or used up?

10%

25%

50%

75%

Approximately 50% of the world's major rivers are very polluted or used up. This means that half of these rivers are experiencing severe contamination or depletion due to human activities and pollution. This is a significant proportion, highlighting the alarming state of many of the world's major water bodies. The high pollution levels in these rivers can have detrimental effects on ecosystems, wildlife, and human health, emphasizing the urgent need for conservation and sustainable practices to protect our water resources.

Explanation

Approximately 50% of the world's major rivers are very polluted or used up. This means that half of these rivers are experiencing severe contamination or depletion due to human activities and pollution. This is a significant proportion, highlighting the alarming state of many of the world's major water bodies. The high pollution levels in these rivers can have detrimental effects on ecosystems, wildlife, and human health, emphasizing the urgent need for conservation and sustainable practices to protect our water resources.

7. What is the approximate number of people who are currently struggling to get clean drinking water?

233 million

780 million

858 million

None of the above

Approximately 780 million people are currently struggling to get clean drinking water. This staggering number highlights the global water crisis that many individuals face. Lack of access to clean water can lead to various health issues and hinder socio-economic development in affected regions. This statistic emphasizes the urgent need for sustainable solutions and initiatives to ensure that everyone has access to safe and clean drinking water.

Explanation

Approximately 780 million people are currently struggling to get clean drinking water. This staggering number highlights the global water crisis that many individuals face. Lack of access to clean water can lead to various health issues and hinder socio-economic development in affected regions. This statistic emphasizes the urgent need for sustainable solutions and initiatives to ensure that everyone has access to safe and clean drinking water.

8. How often does a child die from waterborne diseases?

Every 30 minutes

Every 20 seconds

Every 30 seconds

Every 60 seconds

Every 20 seconds, a child dies from waterborne diseases. This staggering statistic highlights the urgent need for clean and safe water sources, as well as improved sanitation and hygiene practices. Lack of access to clean water leads to the spread of diseases such as cholera, diarrhea, and typhoid, which disproportionately affect children in developing countries. The frequency of child deaths from waterborne diseases emphasizes the importance of implementing effective measures to ensure access to clean water and prevent these tragic deaths.

Explanation

Every 20 seconds, a child dies from waterborne diseases. This staggering statistic highlights the urgent need for clean and safe water sources, as well as improved sanitation and hygiene practices. Lack of access to clean water leads to the spread of diseases such as cholera, diarrhea, and typhoid, which disproportionately affect children in developing countries. The frequency of child deaths from waterborne diseases emphasizes the importance of implementing effective measures to ensure access to clean water and prevent these tragic deaths.

9. What percentage of the world's hospital beds are filled with people suffering from water-related illnesses?

Less than 1%

1-10%

25%

50%

82%

The given answer, 50%, suggests that half of the world's hospital beds are occupied by people suffering from water-related illnesses. This indicates a significant burden on healthcare systems worldwide due to such illnesses. Water-related illnesses can include diseases caused by contaminated water sources, such as cholera, typhoid fever, and various diarrheal diseases. These conditions can lead to severe health complications, requiring hospitalization for treatment and care. Therefore, the high percentage of hospital beds filled with patients suffering from water-related illnesses highlights the urgent need for improved access to clean and safe water sources globally.

Explanation

The given answer, 50%, suggests that half of the world's hospital beds are occupied by people suffering from water-related illnesses. This indicates a significant burden on healthcare systems worldwide due to such illnesses. Water-related illnesses can include diseases caused by contaminated water sources, such as cholera, typhoid fever, and various diarrheal diseases. These conditions can lead to severe health complications, requiring hospitalization for treatment and care. Therefore, the high percentage of hospital beds filled with patients suffering from water-related illnesses highlights the urgent need for improved access to clean and safe water sources globally.