China seems to be facing water shortages and floods brought on by decades of pollution. While the pollution in the country causes the water quality to decrease gradually, some of the existing water becomes unusable. In recent years, humanity's relationship with water has been in great danger in many parts of the world.
More than 600 people lost their lives in the flood disaster that took place in Nigeria in the past months. In Pakistan, the flood, in which 1,719 people lost their lives, inflicted about 40 billion Euros in damage and inundated one-third of the country. In Europe, it is estimated that this year will be the driest summer in 500 years.
China, one of the countries with the fastest-growing economy in the world, is on the verge of a major climate crisis. In a country with a population of 1.4 billion, limited resources cause inequality throughout the country.
Northern China experiences year-round water scarcity, while Southern China experiences seasonal scarcity despite having sufficient amounts. The fact that 80 percent of the water resources are in South China poses a problem as the North is the center of development.
Another major problem is flooding. The climate crisis is affecting large areas of southern China, including the Yangtze basin and its tributaries, causing heavy rainfall and storms. According to the news published in the New York Times, in July 2021, the rainiest rain in a millennium in China's Henan province caused about 300 deaths and 1.24 million people to lose their homes.
A new project called "Sponge Cities" has been developed in China to combat the water crisis. In a designed "sponge city", a nature-based proposal was developed that uses the land to hold water at its source, slow the flow of water and clean up along the way. The focus of the project is summarized as creating a waterproof floor, allowing some of the rainwater to be collected in urban areas to evaporate and the rest to be kept in a way that drains slowly.
While roads and pavements are being rehabilitated in the region, many trees are planted. Smart buildings are being built that will be compatible with the city's sponge. Building roofs are covered with grass to absorb water. In addition, the buildings are painted in light colors so that they reflect the heat.
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