Water stress is a growing problem worldwide. Millions of people are not getting enough water. It’s estimated that by 2050, five billion people will face problems accessing freshwater. This will have an impact on the global economy. However, there are solutions being developed at the national and international level.
Climate change is causing droughts, floods and other hazards. These events are expected to increase in frequency. Over the past two decades, the number of flood and drought disasters has increased by 134% and 29 percent, respectively. Moreover, the risk of these events is expected to rise, as climate change causes warmer temperatures and increased evaporation of surface water.
The WMO is warning that the number of people affected by water shortages will increase in the coming years. Increasingly, water will become a scarce resource that will have a direct impact on agriculture and industry. For example, water shortages will force production shutdowns in some countries and could cripple global supply chains.
Countries are calling for international cooperation to address the problem. In addition to improving climate services for water, the WMO report calls for stepping up the global investment in water. To help reduce the incidence of water-related disasters, governments and development institutions should invest in a new generation of early warning systems. And they should fill the gaps in data collection.
As water demand continues to increase, the need for more efficient water transportation and treatment is also increasing. In addition, climate change is affecting the amount of rainfall and evaporation of surface water. Therefore, the need for sustainable water management is more important than ever. By protecting ecosystems, reducing carbon emissions from water transportation and treatment, and adapting to climate change, sustainable water management helps communities to survive and thrive.
Among the most vulnerable areas are the Middle East and North Africa, where countries like Iraq, Iran, Turkey and Syria have a history of experiencing water stress. Water shortages in these regions can lead to political instability, mass migrations, and even conflict. Especially since these regions tend to have fast-growing urban centers and import a lot of food.
Global water management is fragmented and inadequate. More than half of all the national meteorological and hydrological services around the world do not have end-to-end drought or flood forecasting systems. Most of these systems have not been updated for more than a decade.
While the United States and the Netherlands declared official water shortages last week, many other nations are in worse shape. An estimated 25 percent of cities globally are experiencing frequent shortages. In addition to the economic impact, water shortages are already creating power struggles. Across the EU, experts warn that water shortages are becoming a “new normal.”
According to the WMO, water storage levels on land are decreasing at a rate of one centimetre per year. These factors have already led to lower hydroelectricity output and rationing of energy to the biggest industrial consumers. They are also affecting household usage.