WHY are icebergs called freshwater reservoirs?
Today, the earth's population consumes only about 0.01% of the planet's freshwater supply per year. So where is the rest? 70% of the water is preserved in Antarctic glaciers.
Using icebergs for drinking water cannot be called an idea of our time. Back in 1773, the crew of the famous James Cook collected 15 tons of drinking water from Antarctic icebergs for his ship, The Resolution.
Water consumption in the world has increased sevenfold in the 20th century alone, and there is no stopping it. Pretty soon, even developed nations will lack fresh water. It would then turn out to be economically feasible to extract water from icebergs.
