Report: Water Crisis Threatening World Food Production
Report: Water Crisis Threatening World Food Production
The Facts
According to a report from the Global Commission on the Economics of Water, the global water crisis will threaten more than half of the world's food production by 2050.It found that over 2B people lack access to safe drinking water, 1K children die each day from lack of access to safe water, and predicted that the demand for freshwater will likely surpass its supply by 40% by 2030.
The OECD-backed report published on Thursday also found that water shortages may cut high-income nations' gross domestic product (GDP) by 8%.According to a report from the Global Commission on the Economics of Water, the global water crisis will threaten more than half of the world's food production by 2050.
The Spin
Clean water, essential for life, is already beyond reach for billions of people worldwide. The situation is worsening, as climate change and population growth strain already limited resources. For every 1.8°F rise in global temperature, we lose 20% of our renewable water resources. This problem transcends borders, sometimes sparking international tensions, yet global coordination to address this crisis remains inadequate.
We can protect and restore natural water sources like wetlands and forests while dramatically improving agricultural water efficiency through drip irrigation. Cities must fix leaky infrastructure that wastes trillions of gallons yearly with creative solutions like water recycling and rainwater harvesting. Most importantly, we need integrated approaches that recognize water's connection to climate, food, and energy.