Final answer:
The correct percentage of the Earth's water that is freshwater is approximately 3%. With the vast majority of this fresh water being trapped in ice caps and glaciers, less than 1% is easily accessible for human consumption.
Step-by-step explanation:
About what percentage of the earth’s water is freshwater? The best answer from the choices provided is a. 3%. The distribution of Earth's water is overwhelmingly skewed towards saltwater, with approximately 97% of the planet's water being contained in the oceans, leaving just 3% as freshwater. However, not all of this freshwater is readily accessible for human use. The majority of freshwater is trapped in the form of ice in vast glaciers and ice sheets, mainly located in Greenland and the polar regions.
Only a small fraction of freshwater is available as liquid surface water in lakes, rivers, and streams. This explains why, despite the large amount of water on Earth, access to drinking water is a critical issue for many communities. The availability of freshwater is further complicated by geographical and climatic factors, which affect the distribution and accessibility of this precious resource.