Raising livestock and burning trash are examples of two human activities that impact water resources. In a paragraph, construct an argument explaining how one of these activities impacts water resources and how the effects on water resources impact human activities. Support your answers with evidence and reasoning.(3 points)
One of these human activities, raising livestock, has a significant impact on water resources. Livestock farming requires huge amounts of water for drinking, feeding, and cleaning purposes. According to the United Nations, the livestock sector uses around 8% of global human water use. As a result, excessive water consumption by livestock farming depletes water sources and increases the pressure on water availability for other essential activities, such as agriculture, manufacturing, and drinking water supply. Moreover, the waste generated by livestock, including manure, fertilizers, and pesticides used in feed production, often contaminates water bodies. The pollutants in this waste can lead to the eutrophication of water sources, causing oxygen depletion and subsequently harming aquatic life. The contaminated water may then enter the human water supply, leading to health risks such as waterborne diseases. Furthermore, the effects on water resources from livestock farming can harm agriculture, a crucial human activity. Farmers depend on irrigation for crop production, and reduced water availability due to livestock farming can deplete water sources, affecting crop yields and food security. In conclusion, the impact of raising livestock on water resources not only threatens the environment but also significantly impacts human activities such as water supply, agriculture, and overall health.
