According to a recent study, by the year 2040, water sustainability will be inadequate as there won’t be sufficient water available to meet world demand for both energy production and drinking. The growing freshwater demand and shrinking resources will feature negative ramifications for billions of individuals. This article discusses the foremost consequences of any future that has widespread shortages of water.
- Increased global conflicts
Freshwater resources are frequently shared by two or more nations which could bring about more international conflicts as freshwater turns more scarcely. The UN has identified 200 cross-boundary aquifers and 276 cross-boundary river basins. Even though varying treaties have outpaced extreme disputes through the last 50 years, the United States’ Director of Intelligence, in a 2012 report, has warned that water overuse could probably threaten the nation’s national security.
- Lack of access to clean and drinking water
Presently, 1.1.billion people around the world lack full access to clean freshwater. Without easy access to clean water, these vulnerable populations are exposed to deadly water-borne illnesses. And, water gathering could significantly limit economic and educational opportunities. As water resources shrink and the world’s population grows, larger numbers will be faced with the challenge of insufficient water accessibility.
- Food shortages
With the world’s population on course to reaching 9.6 billion by the year 2050, shrinking water resources will make it challenging for the production of food to keep up with the rising demand. This is why we all need quality water sustainability solutions. The UN warns that social unrest, terrorism, political turmoil, and civil war could be the outcomes of food shortages unless the production of food is increased by as much as 60% by the year 2050. Already, agriculture is responsible for 70% of the world’s water withdrawals to meet up present food demand. Increased conservation of farm water via water-saving irrigation strategies are required to slow the unsustainable withdrawals that are made from sources of groundwater.
- Energy shortages
Global energy needs are rising rapidly with population growth and modernization, nevertheless, the production of energy is one of the foremost global consumers of freshwater resources. In the US in 2010, thermo electric power plants were responsible for 38% of all freshwater withdrawals. World electricity demand is fore casted to grow by 70% by 2035 with China and India being responsible for half of the growth. Sources of alternative energy like solar and wind energy need a lot less water to produce but they make up just a tiny fraction of the current energy production.
- Economic slowdown
The UN projects that half of the global population will reside in areas that are water-stressed by the year 2030. It’s challenging to have an economy that’s thriving when freshwater isn’t easily accessible for farming, industrial, and individual use. Lack of freshwater resources could limit the manufacturing of water-intensive products such as food, cars, and clothing. Also, it could affect employee productivity by causing illness and, higher costs of water for people could decrease the disposable income of households.
These are the foremost consequences that could occur should any issues with water sustainability lead to any global water shortage. There are lots of expert companies that offer quality solutions.
