UN Issues Warning as Global Water Crisis Reaches Critical Levels
The signs of global water crisis are becoming increasingly evident. The water shortage causing drought has reached an alarming level, according to a report released by the United Nations.
According to the UN, three out of four people live in countries facing water shortages, contamination, or drought. Approximately 4 billion people experience water scarcity at least one month per year.
A report by Kaveh Madani from the UN University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (INWEH) describes this situation in financial terms. For example, water reserves on the surface are being depleted and human water savings—such as groundwater and glaciers—are being drained.
With the water crisis occurring in numerous regions worldwide serving as a warning sign of impending “bankruptcy,” the situation has become increasingly critical.
One of the primary causes of this phenomenon is the expansion of agricultural and urban areas into arid regions. Global warming also represents another significant factor.
This is because global warming makes dry areas even drier and increases evaporation. This phenomenon causes rainfall to continue decreasing.
Water shortages can have broader impacts, according to Madani, including social instability within countries. For example, they can trigger migration, conflict, and unrest.
One example is the violent protests in Iran. When water systems fail, employment and daily life are also affected, making it difficult to maintain political stability.
Similar reports also highlight that countries with abundant water supplies face analogous problems. This is because the impacts stem from data centres that consume large amounts of water, as well as pollution from various sources including industry, waste, and fertilisers.
Researchers also point to wetlands in the European Union that continue to disappear, largely because they have been converted into agricultural land.
Madani emphasises that humans must live with less water. This can be achieved through smarter water management.
However, unfortunately few countries are undertaking the fundamental step of recording what they have and what they use. Because it would be highly irrational to implement solutions such as cloud seeding when there is no clear report on water shortages.