Scientists are sounding the alarm because the imbalance could have consequences for economies, food production and the lives of billions of people.
For the first time in history, humanity has disrupted the global water cycle, leading to a massive water crisis. This is stated in a new report from the Global Commission on the Economy of Water, reports CNN.
The report, released Wednesday, notes that a decade of land misuse and mismanagement of water resources, combined with man-made climate change, has created “unprecedented stress” on the water cycle of Earth.
The water cycle is a complex system in which water evaporates from the Earth’s surface, rises into the atmosphere, where water vapor is formed, which then cools and falls as rain or snow. But disruptions to this cycle are already having serious consequences: nearly three billion people are facing water shortages and crops are withering due to drought, while cities are shrinking due to the depletion of ground water.
Without immediate action, this crisis is predicted to become even more devastating. It threatens more than 50% of global food production and could reduce global GDP by an average of 8% by 2050, with losses as high as 15% in low-income countries.
“For the first time in human history, we will no longer balance the global water cycle, we will no longer be able to rely on rainfall as the main source of fresh water,” said Johan Rockström, co-chair of the Global Commission on the Economics. of Water.
The report highlights that disruption of the water cycle is closely linked to climate change. Land degradation and deforestation destroy natural carbon reservoirs, accelerating global warming. Climate change, for its part, increases temperatures, dries out landscapes, lowers humidity and increases fire risk.
The crisis is exacerbated by the enormous need for water: the report estimates that people need about 4,000 liters of water per day to live a decent life, which is more than the basic 50-100 liters recommended by the UN. Most regions cannot meet the needs of local resources.
Experts note the need for collective action by world governments.
The report calls for “transformation of the water economy,” especially better pricing to prevent waste and reduce the use of water-rich crops and facilities in water regions.
We remind you that in September the water level in Desna near Kyiv reached a critical minimum.
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Source: korrespondent
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.