What percentage of the world’s fresh water is easily accessible for use?

The correct answer is 1%, as this represents the portion of the world's fresh water that is readily accessible for human use. While it is true that approximately 3% of the Earth's water is categorized as fresh water, much of this is not easily accessible. Large portions are trapped in glaciers and ice caps, while other significant amounts are found in deep underground aquifers that may not be practical for extraction. The readily available fresh water that humans can utilize for drinking, agriculture, sanitation, and industry primarily comes from rivers, lakes, and shallow aquifers, making the easily accessible fraction much smaller—around 1%. This understanding highlights the importance of water conservation and management practices, given that this limited resource must meet the needs of the global population.