Registered Environmental Manager (REM) Practice Exam

What approach does not effectively tackle water scarcity?

1. Recycling wastewater

2. Implementing water pricing

3. Ignoring environmental laws

4. Building new dams

The correct answer is: Ignoring environmental laws

The chosen response revolves around the recognition that disregarding environmental laws does not address the root or contributing factors of water scarcity. Environmental laws are established to protect water resources, maintain ecological balance, and promote sustainable usage of water. Ignoring these laws can lead to over-extraction, pollution of water bodies, and degradation of ecosystems, ultimately exacerbating water scarcity issues rather than alleviating them. In contrast, the other options provided are methods that aim to manage or mitigate water scarcity. Recycling wastewater provides a means to reuse water that would otherwise be wasted, thereby increasing available supplies. Implementing water pricing can encourage more responsible water use, discouraging wastage by reflecting the true cost of water. Building new dams can create additional storage capacity for water, supporting both supply and flood control. However, even these approaches require careful planning and consideration of environmental laws to ensure sustainability and protect water resources.