[originaltext] Water supplies around the planet are running dry at an alarmi

Water supplies around the planet are running dry at an alarming rate. Scientists say the world is experiencing a shortage of fresh water. It will only worsen as the population grows and the climate changes. People living in the western part of the U. S. are experiencing this now. For several years, there hasn’t been much water there.
    But the American West is not the only place thirsty for water. Jerry Schubel is president and CEO of the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, California. ’’More than half of the world’s population lives in water-stressed areas and, according to the United Nations, that number will increase to two-thirds by 2025, fewer than 10 years from now. ’’Jerry Schubel says the amount of water on earth has not changed for billions of years, but the ratio of fresh to salt water has. He also says there are also other factors that are creating a fresh water shortage.
     ’’In much of the world, shortage of fresh water is a looming crisis that will only be aggravated by climate change and a growing population.’’Schubel says most of the world’s population live in countries that share bodies of water. Many of those countries don’t have agreements on how to share that water. ’’And many of these regions are in areas of political unrest: North Africa, the Horn of Africa, the Arabian Peninsula and the Southwest, Central and South Asia. The aggregate population in these areas is predicted to triple by the end of this century. So, water shortages could well become flashpoints for regional and international conflicts. ’’
    Scientists say conservation is the first step to solving the water crisis. Kevin Wattier, manager at the Long Beach water department says desalinating—removing salt from sea water—is also an option. But that comes at a price. ’’It would cost at least twice or three times as much to desalinate sea water as it would cost to buy imported water. You will increase your global carbon footprint when you go to sea water desal. ’’
    Schubel says the problem of global water shortage can be solved only if countries work together. ’’We could supply everyone on this planet with safe drinking water and enough water to grow their food. But it will take money, technology, political will and cooperation. And learning how to share requires collaborative decision making at intergovernmental levels. ’’
23. What does Jerry Schubel say about a fresh water shortage?
24. Which is not true about desalinating?
25. How can the problem of global water shortage be solved?