The Global Water Crisis Is Growing, And More Than Half Of The World’s Food Production Is In Danger Of Collapsing Because Of It
In the next 25 years, more than half of the world’s food production is in danger of collapsing due to a global water crisis that is only continuing to grow.
According to the Global Commission on the Economics of Water, nearly three billion people and over half of global food production are located in areas where water systems are facing extreme stress because of climate change, habitat degradation, and mismanagement of water resources.
If something isn’t done about the crisis, it will have a huge impact on humanity and the environment. Already, multiple cities are sinking due to the loss of groundwater.
And by 2050, up to eight percent of the world’s gross domestic product (GDP) and 15 percent of the GDP of lower-income countries will be lost.
“Today, half of the world’s population faces water scarcity,” said Johan Rockström, the director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK).
“As this vital resource becomes increasingly scarce, food security and human development are at risk—and we are allowing this to happen.”
“For the first time in human history, we are pushing the global water cycle out of balance,” he continued.
“Precipitation, the source of all freshwater, can no longer be relied upon due to human-caused climate and land use change, undermining the basis for human well-being and the global economy.”
One person needs at least 13 to 26 gallons of water daily for health and hygiene. However, the institute found that this range is severely underestimated.
alekleks – stock.adobe.com – illustrative purposes only
The true number for adequate hydration and a hygienic life is closer to 1,055 gallons of water per person each day. In many parts of the world, this amount of water is not accessible.
Currently, approaches to the water crisis are mainly focused on “blue water,” which is found in lakes, rivers, and aquifers.
Not enough attention is being paid to the “green water” in soil and plants. Green water travels around the world in a cycle to produce roughly half of the rain that falls on land.
Many areas in China, India, Russia, and Europe rely heavily on green water flow. So, as weather systems continue to be disrupted, they are under an even greater threat of water scarcity.
Within the past few years, the Amazon has experienced extreme droughts, glaciers are melting at high rates, and deadly floods have swept through Europe.
The issue is further exacerbated by the underpricing of water in several areas, allowing water in already-stressed regions to be directed to data centers or coal-run power plants.
Water resources can be managed more effectively and distributed more fairly by implementing appropriate pricing, offering subsidies, transitioning to plant-based diets, restoring natural ecosystems, and recycling wastewater.
Although the global water crisis is a tragedy, it presents a chance to revolutionize how we manage water and view its value. By assigning it the right value, we can properly recognize the vast benefits it provides.
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