The world is in a water crisis. Agriculture can lead the way out of it
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Loading... - Julius Arhin
- 06 Apr 2023
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The world isn’t heading for a water crisis. It’s already in one. In many places, water withdrawals exceed recharge rates. Climate change is causing droughts and floods all over the globe. Water bodies that support vital biodiversity and production of food, both aquatic and on land, are compromised by reduced irregular flows and pollution.
At the UN 2023 Water Conference, the international community aims to emerge with a Water Action Agenda to protect one of humanity’s most critical resources. Agriculture, the sector most dependent on freshwater, must be central to this agenda.
The numbers are already stark.
Over 700 million people face high and critical water stress and over 90 percent of natural disasters are water related. The situation is worsening. Global water availability and quality are deteriorating. Climate change is intensifying. Competition between sectors and countries is increasing. By 2050, two-thirds of the world’s population could face water shortages.
Agriculture currently accounts for 72 percent of freshwater withdrawals. On current trends, an additional 35 percent in water resources will be needed by 2050 to meet the growing demand for food, fiber and feed. At the same time, demand for other uses is increasing. These numbers clearly don’t add up.
This is hugely worrying for efforts to end hunger and poverty, because there can be no food and agriculture, and the livelihoods it supports, without clean and sufficient water – for irrigation of crops, for livestock, and for the many species that live in aquatic ecosystems. Agriculture – including forestry, fisheries, and aquaculture – also plays a crucial role in the management of surface water, groundwater recharge and even circulation of atmospheric water, thanks to forests. Read More…
