eli5: If we have methods like desalination, why is the world suffering from a water shortage, when 70% of the Earth is water?

Question

Even though the water is saline, to the best of my understanding, you can convert saltwater into freshwater so why is there a water crisis?

In: Biology

Answer 1

Desalination requires a lot of power. Unfortunately, the world is going through an energy crisis as well. We are trying to cut down on our power consumption to reduce our dependency of fossil fuels. Opening up several more desalination plants would run counter to the strategy of cutting down on energy.

Also, desalinization plants would work well in coastal cities, but inland location would still have a problem. You would have to find a way to deliver water inland, which would cost more energy.

Desalination would also be very expensive.