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Book 30, Question 76 · Video

How much of the world's water can people actually drink?

Video · 1:54 · Crafty Clover explains, from A Million Whys Book 30

About 97 percent of Earth's water is salty ocean. Of the remaining fresh water, most is locked up in ice sheets and glaciers or deep underground. Only a tiny share, less than one percent of all the water on Earth, is in lakes, rivers, and shallow groundwater that people can easily reach. That small share must supply drinking water, farms, and factories, which is why saving it matters.

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What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. How much of the world's water can people actually drink?

The Big Idea

Earth is covered in water! But how much can we drink? Less than you think.

Salty Oceans

Step one: Salty Oceans. About ninety-seven percent of Earth's water is salty ocean. People can't drink salty seawater without treating it in special plants.

Frozen and Hidden

Step two: Frozen and Hidden. Most of the remaining fresh water is locked in ice sheets and glaciers. Much of the rest is hidden deep underground.

Easy to Reach

Step three: Easy to Reach. Less than one percent of all Earth's water is in lakes, rivers, and shallow groundwater we can easily reach. That small share supplies drinking water, farms, and factories, which is why saving it matters.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look! Salty. Frozen. Hidden. Easy to reach.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! Lakes hold more usable fresh water than all the rivers combined. Ninety-seven percent is salty. Most fresh water is ice. Save every drop.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! Count out one hundred squares. Color ninety-seven blue for salt water. Color three green for fresh water. Circle a tiny bit of one green square. That's the easy-to-reach water!

Outro

About ninety-seven percent of Earth's water is salty ocean, and most fresh water is frozen in ice or hidden deep underground. Less than one percent is in lakes, rivers, and shallow groundwater we can easily reach, so saving it matters. Science is amazing! What will you discover next? Every question is a new adventure, so keep wondering and keep exploring with me! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!

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