Why should we be concerned about drought? And what can we do about the issue?

Water is obviously essential in every aspect of life. Without it, nothing would grow, there would be substantially greater species extinction (even now, we are experiencing some of this), the environment would become uninhabitable. Lack of water also leads to soil nutrient deficiences for those surviving species. When there is a good rainfall, this can lead to nutrient leaching of soils that have adapted to low rainfall, hence soil infertility. What some people don't realise is, even though a heavy rainfall would be wonderful, it is consistency that is needed to regenerate healthy vegetation.

There are things that we can do about this issue. Water conservation is critical and should be more strictly implemented. People need to restrict their time in the shower, consider how they wash clothes, dishes and cars and gardens, and think about how we can recycle the water we use. The government seems to think the solution is to transport water from other areas, but these other areas need the water. They should be concentrating on implementing and promoting water recycling programs and strategies.

People can raise their voice by petitioning or protesting, allerting the government of their concerns, however recycling and conservation is critical.

Why should we be concerned? Because it could happen at any time.

It's galling that the government tells people to conserve water only when there's a shortage. Conservation should always be practiced.

People just assume that when they turn on a faucet, water will come out. I guess that's natural, but people need to become more cognizant of reality.

I'm not ordinarily rude to strangers, but whenever I come across someone using a hose to wash away sidewalk debris, I make it a point to courteously but firmly tell them that they should use a broom to sweep up the debris. Some have actually complied.

I work several months each year with an opera company, and share a dressing room with several men. We have one thoughtless person who washes his face after a performance, and then walks away from the sink and leaves the water running. He doesn't do it because he's going to be returning to the sink -- he's completely done, but doesn't turn it off. So someone else has to turn it off. This past season I asked him to turn the sink off, and he replied, "Why?" I said it was a waste of water, and he smugly replied, "What, you've never heard of rain?" I then replied, "What, you've never heard of drought?" Rather vexing.

Even if reservoirs and lakes are filled to the brim, we should never stop conservation efforts. Just because there's currently enough, it does no harm to continue using it sparingly.

What can be done about water conservation depends on where you live and how much water is being used. One thing that produced a noticeable difference in our water usage was xeriscaping with native plants and eliminating sod. Our water bill decreased by 35% and we have a small yard. I know people that have nothing but native plants and because they are drought resistant, can rely almost entirely on rainwater. An option for areas that do get some rainfall is rainwater harvesting. Your local agricultural extension office may be able to provide you with more information. One idea I have seen in literature is 'gray' water recycling- collecting all the 'grey' water from bathtubs and sinks and treating it in order to be used for watering.

there are parts of Australia where 10yrold children have never seen rain. The drought has been ravaging our country for decades and without drastic changes by the governments of this world then its only going to get worse.

Yes we need to be concerned...things to do, take shorter showers, wash dishes by hand instead of using the dish washer, collect rain water for outdoor gardening, don't let the water run continuely while brushing your teeth

We should be concerned, because without water, nothing grows anymore!

What we can do? Tell the politicians what you are concerned about!