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Source: United Nations Environment Programme |
The Problem
Water usage is integral to human existence and water scarcity is becoming more prevalent in many parts of the world, not simply in arid climates. A changing climate will alter weather patterns thereby adding incremental uncertainty to the security of water supplies. Issues surrounding water are of global relevance and impact all individuals and industries.
Although the global supply of water is broadly static, regional supply and demand drivers are creating imbalances. Scarcity issues are therefore not isolated to arid climates; instead there is an increasing incidence of shortages in cities and developed economies in temperate climates.
As populations grow and those populations have higher living standards, demand for water will escalate. The wealthier a population, the more water intensive its people become. At the same time, supply side issues include water quality due to pollution generated by the same economic growth that’s boosting demand and creating increased urbanization.
An average person needs between 20 and 50 liters of water a day for basic needs. More typically in developed economies each individual uses at least 150 liters per day. Furthermore, unlike other commodities, water is neither easily transported nor readily traded outside a certain defined area. Water faces new demand, supply and sustainability issues from demographics and migration, economic growth and climate change drivers.