00:03A warming planet will raise sea levels, acidify the oceans, and bring water insecurity to millions, if not billions of
00:10people.
00:11And that last note might have even worse prospects than previously predicted, as according to a new report, climate change
00:17could even make our groundwater undrinkable.
00:20According to a new study involving researchers from all over the globe, by 2100 aquifers that supply water to hundreds
00:26of millions of people around the planet could become toxic and unpotable.
00:30The report outlines that in the worst case scenario, around 590 million people would see their groundwater supplies become dangerous
00:37to drink.
00:38That's because, despite being more resilient to changes in temperature, groundwater is not impervious to it.
00:43Meaning, as the temperature goes up dramatically, groundwater temperatures will likely as well.
00:48Groundwater is already rife with pathogens, and if temperatures in that groundwater go up, it will be a mecca for
00:54dangerous bacteria and other harmful organisms.
00:57With the researchers writing, quote,
00:58That means it may not be safe to drink the water there without treatment. It may need to be boiled
01:03first, for example.
01:04The drinking water also gets warmed up in water pipes by heat in the ground.
01:08What's even more concerning is that one in four humans globally depend on drinkable groundwater to survive.
01:18olive oil.
01:18you
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