Water, one of the two elements that are essential to life, covers 90 percent of the earth’s surface. However, despite appearances, water that is drinkable is rare on our planet. In the past, we have considered air and water to be free; but we cannot do so any more. Although we have oceans, seas, rivers, and glaciers, we need to protect our drinking supplies. As global warming increase, ice floes melt into the oceans. The deserts are increasing in size as they encroach upon and absorb arable land. Drought and scarcity of water are an increasing feature of our everyday lives. A good example of our problems is California. It has a reputation as a fertile state. Nevertheless, for years it has been short of water, and, since the 1980s, has been suffering from prolonged drought. Florida, too, has water problems and is trying to stop salt water from seeping into its underground reserves. Floods occur regularly but do not .. 
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