It is fairly common knowledge that the world is changing. The world has been changing since the beginning of time, and the world will continue to change until the end of time. Human beings have not always been able to track or predict these changes, but with always-advancing technology and increased global communications, it is becoming easier and easier to figure out exactly what is happening to our planet.
Climate change has drastically increased the Earth’s temperatures, disrupted rainfall patterns, and lowered sea levels. Couple that with the fact that Earth’s population is constantly increasing, which increases the demand for clean/fresh water, it becomes very obvious that the earth is approaching a water crisis.
A study done by World Resources Institute shows that about one-fifth of all the world’s countries will face water shortages by the year 2040. The Middle East stood out as the most susceptible area. “The region, already arguably the least water-secure in the world, draws heavily upon groundwater and desalinated seawater, and faces exceptional water-related challenges for the foreseeable future,” says the report.
The United States, China, India, Australia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Mongolia, Namibia, South Africa, Botswana, Peru, Chile, and several North African countries are also at high risk for water shortages by 2040. The biggest fear is that the result of increased water scarcity could be massive conflict, especially in already crisis-prone regions, like the Middle East and Africa.
It is becoming increasingly important to come up with unique solutions of how to combat this upcoming issue, and while this news itself isn’t the most positive news, what is positive is that we have more time now to come up with strategies.
