Question

How does the amount of freshwater in glaciers and ice caps compare to the amount of freshwater in sources that can be easily accessed and used? How does the amount of freshwater compare in general with the total amount of Earth’s water supply? (Site 1)

Answer 1

The fresh water is in a very big minority when compared to the total amount of water reserves on the planet.

The freshwater accounts for only 2%, while the rest of the 98% are saline water.

But the available freshwater for usage is even less, as from those 2% around 87% is frozen in the ice caps and the glaciers. Around 12% is groundwater, and not all of it is suitable for usage, and only 1% is the freshwater that is the most available from the rivers and the lakes.

This makes the freshwater a prime thing for preservation, as it is what enables the life on the planet, so much more measures have to be undertaken for it to be clean and in healthy condition.