O acesso à água na América do Sul e em África, diferenças e semelhanças

A global analysis of the resource water in the world is carried out, taking into account the gains and losses of the hydrologic cycle. Lacking its access brings a silent crisis that condemns a considerable part of Mankind to a life of poverty, vulnerability and unsafety. Water is indispensable to Men, for its activities as a living being, but also to economic development (industrial processes, irrigation, energy, navigation) and for the preservation of ecosystems. One must assure that each individual has a reliable access to water at an acceptable price. The unregulated industrial growths, the indiscriminate use of chemical products in agriculture, the lack of adequate treatment of wastewater are factors that bring instability to the hydrologic cycle. Also the absence or the existence of inadequate infrastructure leads to a pernicious management of the water resources, both in quantitative and qualitative terms. One analyzes also the strong contrast of the water domain, in Africa and in South America, which is bringing difficulties to social and economic development, that, in some cases, originate conflicts, both local and even between countries. As a conclusion, one points out some of the most significant problems that are taking place in those regions, such as: the incorrect water use; the inadequate management and social justice methods in its distribution; the lack of pollution control; and the indiscriminate deforestation.