The Guardian – Global fresh water demand will outstrip supply by 40% by 2030, say experts
“The scientific evidence is that we have a water crisis. We are misusing water, polluting water, and changing the whole global hydrological cycle, through what we are doing to the climate. It’s a triple crisis.”
Guardian graphic. Source: Global Commission on the Economics of Water (Figures mentioned above are km3/yr)
This article in The Guardian highlights a new study which investigates global freshwater supply. It is expected that demand for water will exceed supply by 40% by the end of this decade. Governments need to be more mindful of where they are allocating water supply, especially in the agriculture and mining industries. The economics of water are being discussed more in-depth by governments across the world as this crisis worsens. Water will need to be managed as a common good to encourage responsible usage.
Often without even realizing it, countries depend on neighbouring countries for water. Evaporation of water from those neighbouring countries can make up half of the water supply. Pollution, overuse, and the climate crisis are all threatening the water supply and this triple threat needs to be tackled worldwide. The report outlined seven ways (see below) we can implement change and act now. Water partnerships around the world are needed to ensure that water allocation does not exceed the actual supply of water available within a system. Being neglectful towards our water supply is leading to disaster. More than $700bn of subsides fuel agriculture and water each year, driving water waste and overconsumption. Countries worldwide need to take a step back and consider how they can limit wasteful water use. Without water, very few of our systems will run, with the highest risk industry being agriculture.
Seven calls to action on water
Manage the global water cycle as a global common good, to be protected collectively and in our shared interests.
Ensure safe and adequate water for every vulnerable group, and work with industry to scale up investment in water.
Stop underpricing water. Proper pricing and targeted support for the poor will enable water to be used more efficiently, more equitably, and more sustainably
Reduce the more than $700bn of subsidies in agriculture and water each year, which often fuel excessive water consumption, and reduce leakage in water systems.
Establish “just water partnerships” which can mobilise finance for low- and middle-income countries.
Take urgent action this decade on issues such as restoring wetlands and depleted groundwater resources, recycling the water used in industry; moving to precision agriculture that uses water more efficiently; and having companies report on their “water footprint”.
Reform the governance of water at an international level, and including water in trade agreements. Governance must also take into account women, farmers, indigenous people and others in the frontline of water conservation.
“If we are to have a hope of solving our climate crisis, our biodiversity crisis and other global challenges on food, energy and health, we need to radically change our approach in how we value and manage water. [This] is the best opportunity we have to put water at the centre of global action to ensure people, crops and the environment continue to have the water they need.”
“We need a much more proactive, and ambitious, common good approach. We have to put justice and equity at the centre of this, it’s not just a technological or finance problem.”
The Canada1Water project aims to give policymakers the information they need to protect water resources in Canada. This continental scale model will focus on climate change impacts on groundwater and provide data to help Canadians manage our water resources in a more sustainable way.