The world is running out of water
21 October 2024
How often do you take one of our most critical resources for granted? A new report warns that a global water crisis could threaten over half of the world's food production within 25 years. The Global Commission on the Economics of Water states that governments and experts have vastly underestimated the amount of water needed for people to live decent lives. Freshwater demand is projected to exceed supply by 40% by 2030. This is due to overuse, mismanagement of water systems, destruction of ecosystems, population growth, and climate change.
Importantly, the report emphasises the interconnectedness of global water systems. Water moves from country to country and continent to continent. Some countries benefit from "green water" (rainwater stored in the soil), while others rely heavily on "blue water" (from rivers, lakes, and groundwater), which transports moisture across regions. China's water supply, for example, depends on sustainable forest management in Ukraine and Kazakhstan. Forests in these regions help regulate moisture, ultimately contributing to China's water availability.
Similarly, Brazil's vast forests are critical in freshwater flow to neighbouring Argentina. In Africa, the Nile River is a crucial lifeline for several countries. Ethiopia's construction of a massive dam has raised concerns downstream in Sudan and Egypt, which rely heavily on the Nile for agriculture, drinking water, and electricity generation.
 | Thibault Krause One can't emphasise it enough: we are all in this together! Water is essential to nearly every aspect of life. Beyond drinking, water is used for cooling power plants and manufacturing goods – from clothes to electronics. In pharmaceuticals, water is essential for producing medicines, and it is used for cleaning and cooling and as a solvent in the production process. To safeguard future freshwater supplies, countries must cooperate on water management, adopt sustainable practices, reform harmful agricultural subsidies, and ensure equitable access to water, especially for vulnerable communities. In Europe, the consultative European Economic and Social Committee advocates for an EU Blue Deal – a comprehensive strategy to tackle water scarcity and management, modelled after the Green Deal, focusing on cross-border cooperation. |
Welcome to The European Correspondent
Europe lacks true European media: in Germany alone, there are more media devoted exclusively to football than news outlets specialising on Europe. The established players mainly focus on Brussels and European institutions. The European Correspondent aims to change that. We cover the whole of Europe and write for a community of citizens who want to look beyond their own national borders. Without European journalism, there is no European civil society.
〉Read our manifesto
〉The stories we would like to write for you
Become a donor!
The European Correspondent is fully funded by its readers. We can only produce the newsletter with your support - and work towards the bigger project: building true European media. Donate now!
With your help, we can create true European journalism. Thank you!
We are non-profit. Every donated € goes directly into The European Correspondent.