Plentiful in some places in the world, yet so scarce in others it has to be pulled from the sea and piped hundreds of miles, water is essential for life but easily taken for granted. Unfortunately, the global problem of water scarcity is predicted to get worse in the coming years because of climate change, overpopulation and ever-expanding urban areas.
Some experts believe that the problem could already be worse that we think. Scientists in Holland have recently suggested that the number of people affected by water scarcity could be as many as four billion, as opposed to the two billion as estimated in earlier reports.
The World Economic Forum has ranked ‘water crises’ as the top risk facing societies and business over the next decade. Tens-of-millions of people are impacted daily by severe lack of water and drought in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
Dr Ger Bergkamp, executive director of NGO the International Water Association (IWA), says: “Cities, industries, agriculture and the environment are seriously impaired by water scarcity. Cities around the world have literally run out of water this year, resulting in major havoc and costs for citizens, business and government.”
Last month the World Bank joined the growing number of organisations warning of the challenges water scarcity is causing around the world. According to its report, High and Dry: Climate Change, Water and the Economy, the problem is not only worsening in places like the Middle East, but also spreading to places where water is currently abundant, such as Central Africa and East Asia.
The effect could hold back the economic growth of these regions by up to 6% of their GDP, finds the report, spurring mass migration and sparking conflicts.
Jim Yong Kim, president of the World Bank, says: “Water scarcity is a major threat to economic growth and stability around the world, and climate change is making the problem worse.
“If countries do not take action to better manage water resources, our analysis shows that some regions with large populations could be living with long periods of negative economic growth. But countries can enact policies now that will help them manage water sustainably for the years ahead.”
High level action
Richard Damania, the report’s author and a lead economist at the World Bank, says: “There is a silver lining. When governments respond to water shortages by boosting efficiency and allocating even 25% of water to more highly-valued uses, losses decline dramatically and for some regions may even vanish. Improved water stewardship pays high economic dividends.”
The World Bank says that more far-reaching policies are needed to avoid inefficient water use and to cope with deepening climate stresses. This includes include better planning for water resource allocation, adoption of incentives to increase water efficiency, and investments in infrastructure for more secure water supplies and availability.
Last month, 10 heads of government were appointed to a high level panel chaired by the UN and World Bank to accelerate the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 6, which focuses on ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for everyone. During the recent COP21 event in Paris, the World Bank also announced a boost in funding for water programmes in India, the Niger River Basin, Morocco and Kenya to help tackle water challenges.
In India, which is the largest consumer of groundwater in the world, there is a $1 billion programme to build water capacity and infrastructure. In Morocco, the funding will help build irrigation systems for farmers and in Mombasa, Kenya, the extra funds will support a $500 million government programme to boost water security and build climate resilience.
Bergkamp from the IWA says: “While water scarcity and drought will increasingly pose major challenges to society, managing these situations can be turned into a major opportunity for development, business and communities. This requires leadership and a pro-active approach that engages a wide range of stakeholders throughout society.”
“The world needs decisive action, a modern day Marshall Plan for global water scarcity. We need all stakeholders to agree a clear agenda and begin to manage water more wisely,”