Water Stress Crisis: 25 Countries Facing Extreme Scarcity, Threats to Stability and Food Security
A new report has highlighted the dire situation faced by numerous countries due to water stress. According to the report, 25 countries are currently exposed to extremely high water stress annually, with over 80 percent of their renewable water supply being utilized for various needs such as irrigation, livestock, industry, and domestic use. As a result, even a short-term drought puts these nations in danger of running out of water, sometimes leading governments to implement water rationing measures.
Among the top 30 countries facing high water stress are the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Egypt, Yemen, Iran, Jordan, Tunisia, Iraq, India, Syria, Morocco, Eritrea, and Algeria. Turkey also faces significant water stress as the 39th highest-ranking country in this regard. Recently, residents of Istanbul were urged to reduce their water consumption as the city grapples with a drought crisis brought on by high temperatures. The Istanbul Water and Sewerage Administration reported that the city’s dam levels were at their lowest rate in nine years, emphasizing the urgent need for water-saving efforts.
Looking ahead, the World Resources Institute’s Aqueduct Water Risk Atlas projects that by 2050, an additional 1 billion people will be living with extreme water stress. This forecast underscores the increasing global water demand, which is estimated to rise by 20 to 25 percent by 2050. Moreover, the report warns that the number of watersheds experiencing high year-to-year variability in water supply will likely increase by 19 percent. This means that by 2050, the population of the Middle East and North Africa will face 100 percent extreme water stress.
The ramifications of water scarcity extend beyond limited supply and impact various sectors. Disruptions to industries, energy blackouts, and decreases in agricultural yield are just a few of the consequences. India, for example, has suffered from inadequate water supply for cooling thermal power plants, resulting in a loss of 8.2 terawatt-hours of energy between 2017 and 2021. This energy loss could have powered 1.5 million Indian homes for five years. Furthermore, the report highlights that global food stability is at risk as approximately 60 percent of the world’s irrigated crops, including staple crops like sugarcane, wheat, rice, and maize, face severe water strain.
To mitigate the water stress crisis, the World Resources Institute suggests several measures. Countries should enhance their water management policies, promote water conservation in agriculture, and implement comprehensive water resource strategies. Additionally, eco-friendly methods and green infrastructure should be utilized to bolster water infrastructure. The report also recommends strategic debt alleviation initiatives, such as debt-for-nature exchanges, and forgiving debt in exchange for commitments to funding biodiversity or robust infrastructure. Prioritizing water-prudent energy sources and developing urban water resilience action plans are other proposed solutions. Lastly, farmers should consider switching to water-efficient crops and adopting irrigation methods that minimize water usage.
The severity of the water stress crisis calls for urgent action worldwide. As the demand for water grows and the effects of climate change exacerbate the situation, it is crucial for governments, industries, and individuals to come together to address this pressing issue. Failure to act could lead to serious social, economic, and environmental consequences, making it imperative to prioritize sustainable water management for the sake of our future.
