Why is water important?

Water is the largest component to so much - 96.5% of the water on earth is from the oceans. 0.73% is in saline (salt) lakes. 0.93% is in saline ground water. 2.5% of the world's water is freshwater.

Interested in further breakdown of water? Look here: http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/watercyclesummary.html#global

Source: Igor Shiklomanov's chapter "World fresh water resources" in Peter H. Gleick (editor), 1993, Water in Crisis: A Guide to the World's Fresh Water Resources (Oxford University Press, New York).

"Clean drinking water is a basic human need. Unfortunately, more than one in six people still lack reliable access to this precious resource. The problem is particularly acute in the developing world." Watch a documentary here: http://drinking-water.org/html/en/Overview/index.html

The startling facts above give us an indication about why water is so important to life. Even more important is the quality of the water and whether the water available can enhance rather than inhibit life. Yes, if water does not support life but carries with it water-born contaminants, which can lead to disease or even death, then sustainable life, is compromised. This cannot be emphasized enough - pure, life-enhancing water is essential for all living beings - plants, animals, humans and of course, the earth itself and its bodies of water.