The battle for water in the 21st century is a collective one
- dimitris dimitriadis
- July 3, 2024
- Foresight, News
- AI, digital innovation, foresight, innovation, sustainability, TheFutureCats, water
- 0 Comments
Think of the tap in your kitchen, not just as an ordinary accessory, but as a gateway to a vital life-sustaining resource. When you turn it on, you witness a miracle that is easy to overlook. Similarly, when you visit the sea, you don’t just see water; you observe a critical component of our planet’s ecosystem that is in delicate balance.
Water is not just a substance that is an important part of our bodies and our planet; it is the cornerstone of life itself. It is vital to agriculture, consuming 70% of the planet’s freshwater, and by extension, it is an integral part of the food we consume. However, this invaluable resource is threatened by climate change, pollution and poor management, leading to a situation where our current way of life may become unsustainable. The potential for conflict and suffering due to water scarcity is a stark reminder of the need for urgent action.
Water scarcity is often seen in terms of quantity, but the real challenge lies in distribution and access. The planet is not short of water; it is poorly distributed, influenced by geography and economics. Climate change exacerbates these challenges by affecting the availability, timing and form of water, with implications for agriculture and overall water demand.
In rural societies, especially those experiencing economic growth and population explosion, the impact is profound. The dependence of agriculture on water is highlighted in countries such as Pakistan, where the vast majority of water abstraction supports agriculture. The case of Pakistan illustrates the complex relationship between climate change, water scarcity and social stability.
International cooperation and partnerships, as highlighted in the UNESCO and UN-Water report, are vital in this effort. Working together, governments, businesses, scientists, civil society and communities can chart a collective path towards sustainable water management. This collaborative approach must also include the equitable and inclusive participation of all stakeholders, ensuring that the solutions developed meet the diverse needs and challenges faced by communities around the world.
By 2050, the UN predicts water scarcity for 5 billion people
The United Nations World Meteorological Organization has issued a warning that by the middle of the 21st century, climate-induced water shortages could affect two-thirds of the world’s population, with the effects disproportionately distributed.
According to the UN’s inaugural series of reports on the impacts of climate change on global water resources, around five billion people, or two-thirds of the world’s population, will face at least one month of water scarcity per year by 2050.
This World Meteorological Organization report projects future scenarios for river flows, floods and droughts across continents, presenting a diverse set of results.
Climate change will create ‘losers and winners’, with the balance tipping more towards negative outcomes.
Rapid melting of snow and ice in high altitude areas and overuse of groundwater for irrigation, exacerbated by drought and declining surface reservoirs, are highlighted as major threats to global water security.
The United Nations reported that from 2001 to 2018, 74% of all natural disasters were water-related, which led to the inclusion of water issues in adaptation strategies at the recent UN climate conference in Egypt, marking the first time water was explicitly mentioned in a COP agreement due to its vital importance.
Greece has the second largest ‘water footprint’ in the world, which is twice the global average, placing the country in a special position in terms of water consumption. In this context, of the 38.54 million acres of farmable land, some 14.22 million are irrigated, reflecting the extensive use of water in agriculture.
However, farming areas such as the Thessaly plain are facing a water scarcity crisis that is irreversible, as water availability is constantly decreasing. At the same time, water use in Greece is becoming more and more intensive, while the potential for water resources management is limited due to existing infrastructure and planned strategies. In particular, water losses in the irrigation sector are significant, with irrigation systems in the Thessaly plain experiencing losses exceeding 60% of the water in the network. This situation underlines the urgent need for improved water management practices and the adoption of more sustainable solutions to address water scarcity in the country.
As we look to the future, with projections of population growth and climate instability, the urgent need to tackle water scarcity becomes even more pressing.
Let’s briefly explore three trends that can enhance resilience and promote a sustainable future:
Building climate-adapted water systems:
Developing water infrastructure that resists climate variability is essential to ensure water supply and reduce losses. This can include redesigning existing systems for better resilience, adopting green infrastructure solutions for stormwater management, and increasing the adoption of local water systems. Initiatives such as these are critical to enhancing water security and promoting environmental sustainability.
Advanced projections in rural water management:
Applying artificial intelligence and machine learning for predictive analytics is revolutionizing agricultural water management. It enables instant data processing to predict potential water shortages, optimize water use and adapt management approaches in response to weather changes. Such developments are helping to improve water conservation, minimize wastage and create a water management future that is both sustainable and resilient.
Improving water supply through recycling and replenishment:
The practices of water recycling and groundwater recharge present viable strategies for increasing water availability, particularly in areas experiencing water scarcity. Through the treatment and reuse of water for various applications, or by replenishing diminishing groundwater supplies, we can create water supply systems that are both sustainable and able to withstand the challenges posed by climate change. This approach not only saves valuable water resources, but is also a preventive measure against the threat of water scarcity.
In this context, strategic foresight is essential. It is not just about recognising the immediate challenges, but about understanding the interconnection between water scarcity and climate change, economic stability and social well-being. We need to advocate sustainable water management practices, innovative solutions to improve water distribution and access, and policies that address the root causes of water scarcity. In this way, we can move towards a future where water remains a source of life, not conflict.
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