A quarter of humanity in 25 countries experiences an extreme lack of water – scientists
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25 countries in the world, where a quarter of humanity lives, face extremely high water stress every year and use almost all of their water reserves (80%). Also, 50% of the world’s population (about 4 billion people) live in conditions of critical water shortage for at least one month a year. By 2050, this figure may approach 60%. A related study, the Aqueduct Water Risk Map, was published by the World Resources Institute (WRI). “This level of water stress threatens people’s lives, their jobs, food and energy security. Water plays a key role in growing crops and raising livestock, generating electricity, maintaining people’s health, building just societies and achieving the world’s climate goals “, says WRI’s Aqueduct Water Risk Atlas. Photo: VadimVasenin Saudi Arabia, Chile, San Marino, Belgium, Greece, etc. were among the 25 countries experiencing extreme water stress. Bahrain, Cyprus, Kuwait, Lebanon and Oman are among the five countries experiencing the greatest water shortage. Overall, the most water-stressed regions are the Middle East and North Africa (where 83% of the population is experiencing extremely high water stress) and South Asia (where 74% of people are water-stressed). Demand for water is increasing worldwide, researchers say, and has more than doubled since 1960. Although the demand for water has stabilized in Europe and the USA, it is growing rapidly in Africa. According to scientists’ forecasts, by 2050 the demand for water worldwide will increase by 20-25%. Scientists explain that increasing water stress threatens the economic growth of countries. It also affects food production. According to the study, 60% of the world’s irrigated agriculture faces extremely severe water stress, especially sugarcane, wheat, rice and maize. By 2050, humans will need to produce 56% more calories than in 2010 to feed the planet’s 10 billion inhabitants. Read also: Humanity is threatened by a global water shortage in the near future – UNESCO. How to change it
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