Four billion people facing severe water scarcity
Mesfin M Mekonnen1, Arjen Y Hoekstra1
1Twente Water Centre, University of Twente, Drienerlolaan 5, 7522 NB Enschede, Netherlands.
Science Advances
|March 3, 2016
Summary
Global freshwater scarcity affects 4 billion people annually due to seasonal fluctuations. This highlights the urgent need for better water management to mitigate risks to human welfare and biodiversity.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Hydrology
- Global Risk Assessment
Background:
- Freshwater scarcity is a growing global systemic risk.
- Annual assessments underestimate scarcity by ignoring seasonal water availability and consumption fluctuations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess global blue water scarcity on a monthly basis with high spatial resolution.
- To quantify the population affected by seasonal and year-round severe water scarcity.
Main Methods:
- Monthly global assessment of blue water scarcity.
- High spatial resolution analysis.
Main Results:
- Two-thirds of the global population (4.0 billion) experience severe water scarcity for at least one month annually.
- Nearly half of the affected population resides in India and China.
- Half a billion people face severe water scarcity year-round.
Conclusions:
- Seasonal variations significantly impact experienced water scarcity.
- Effective water management strategies, including consumption caps, efficiency improvements, and resource sharing, are crucial.
- Addressing water scarcity is vital for protecting biodiversity and human welfare.
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