water crisis
The Global Water Economy Commission has released a report. The report says that by 2050, water crises could put more than half of the world’s food supply at risk. In addition, it could lead to an average loss of 8% of global GDP, while in low-income countries this loss could be as high as 15%. Climate change, unsustainable land use and continued misuse of water resources put the global water cycle at risk, the report said. The report states that the worldwide water crisis will seriously affect not only food production but also economic development.
The report states that more than 3 billion people and more than half of the world’s food live in areas facing water crises. Water supplies in these areas have become unstable. At the same time, due to the lack of groundwater in cities, land subsidence incidents are also increasing, seriously threatening human safety and infrastructure.
What experts say
“Today, half the world’s population faces a water crisis,” said Johan Rockström, Director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research and Co-Chair of the Global Commission. “As water becomes increasingly scarce, food security and human Development is at risk and the steps we are taking are not enough. “He also said that for the first time in human history, the global water cycle is out of balance. Man-made climate change and land use changes have made rainfall unreliable, exacerbating the water crisis.
water management system
The report says existing water management systems have proven to be failing. These policies fail to protect the diverse value of water in economies and critical ecosystems. Improper use of water contributes to overuse of water. This has resulted in water-intensive industries such as data centers and coal-fired power plants being relocated to water-sensitive areas, further exacerbating the water crisis.
Use water correctly
The report believes that the key to solving the water crisis lies in ensuring the effective use of water. For this to happen, appropriate water pricing, subsidies and incentives are needed. This will ensure equal long-term, sustainable use of water in all sectors. “The global water crisis is a tragedy, but it also offers an opportunity to transform the economics of hydrology,” said Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organization and Co-Chair of the Global Commission. “We need to appropriately Appreciate the value of water, recognizing its scarcity and the many benefits it provides.”
ignore green water
The report also identified another important shortcoming in water management. At present, people focus on water sources such as rivers, lakes and groundwater, while ignoring “green water”, that is, water in soil and plants. “Green water” is important for keeping rainfall patterns stable and retaining carbon in the soil.
The report also notes that “green water” is critical to sustainable economies, livelihoods and climate change mitigation.
