Approximately what percentage of Earth’s water is fresh water? a. 97 percent b. 71 percent c. 30 percent d. 3 percent
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Correct Answer: d. 3 percent
Only about 3 percent of all the water on Earth is fresh water, meaning it is not salty and is suitable for drinking, agriculture, and most human uses. The vast majority of the Earth’s water—approximately 97 percent—is found in the oceans and seas, which contain salt water and are not directly usable for most freshwater needs without desalination.
Out of the 3 percent that is fresh water, not all of it is easily accessible. Around 69 percent of fresh water is locked up in glaciers and ice caps, primarily in Antarctica and Greenland. Another 30 percent is found underground in aquifers and groundwater reserves. The remaining 1 percent or less of fresh water is located in surface water sources such as lakes, rivers, and swamps. This small fraction is the most readily available source of fresh water for human use.
Water is essential for life and is used in numerous ways, including drinking, farming, manufacturing, and sanitation. Despite fresh water being a small portion of the Earth’s total water supply, it supports all terrestrial life and ecosystems. Because so much fresh water is frozen or underground, careful management of the available surface water is important, especially in regions where water scarcity is a problem.
This small percentage also highlights the importance of water conservation and the need for sustainable water management practices. As populations grow and climate change affects water availability, understanding and protecting this limited resource becomes increasingly critical.
In summary, only about 3 percent of Earth’s water is fresh water, and even less is easily accessible. This makes fresh water one of the planet’s most vital and limited natural resources.
