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Page added on March 24, 2016
Report warns of severe global water shortage
A new report has warned that almost half of the world would be plunged into severe water stress by 2030, if countries and their governments do not alter current levels of demand for the precious commodity and ongoing pollution of rivers, seas and oceans.
The International Resource Panel (IRP) says in the report it released yesterday during the World Water Day (WWD) further warns that, almost half of the world’s population will suffer severe water stress in the next 15 years if interventions to reduce consumption and pollution are not stopped.
Under the current trends, IRP says, demand for water will exceed supply by 40 per cent in 2030, forcing governments to spend $200 billion (Sh20 trillion) per year on upstream water supply as demand outstrips cheaper forms of supply—up from historic averages of $40 (Sh4 trillion) to $45 billion (Sh5 trillion).
Current situation
The report predicts damage for the well-being of millions of people if the current situation cannot be corrected quickly. The report, entitled: Policy Options for Decoupling Economic Growth from Water Use and Water Pollution, reveals that as the global population rises, increased urbanisation, climate change and a shift in how food is consumed are likely to dramatically increase future demand for water.
If the world is to stave off the looming crisis, then efforts to decouple water use from economic growth will need to be strengthened, says the report.
8 Comments on "Report warns of severe global water shortage"
Kenz300 on Thu, 24th Mar 2016 8:15 am
Too many people……….create too much pollution and demand too many resources….
China made great progress in moving its people out of poverty…….one reason was slowing population growth…..
If you can not provide for yourself you can not provide for a child.
CLIMATE CHANGE, declining fish stocks, droughts, floods, air water and land pollution, poverty, water and food shortages all stem from the worlds worst environmental problem……. OVER POPULATION.
Yet the world adds 80 million more mouths to feed, clothe, house and provide energy and water for every year… this is unsustainable… and is a big part of the Climate Change problem
Birth Control Permanent Methods: Learn About Effectiveness
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/birth_control_permanent_methods/article_em.htm
twocats on Thu, 24th Mar 2016 10:27 am
Assuming you could employ various methods that would “capture” more carbon than is released in a barrel of oil, you could use the vast resources of oil to simply convert sea water and waste water to potable water, start planting trees, reclaiming desert, and reversing the damages of industrialism. water and climate change issues reversed.
If you increased standards of living, provided opportunities for basic food, shelter, and electricity to rural populations of “developing” countries, one could expect population rates of population increases to slow to OECD level. population issues slowed and reversed.
Okay, after reading the above, if you are thinking, that sounds reasonable, then you view the world through faith that the world is just and that humanity is a force for good.
If you started laughing, or at some point started asking, “is he being sarcastic”, or immediately started planning a vicious counter attack about how ridiculous that sounds, then you are aware of basic scientific facts about energy production.
The technologies exist for everything I outlined above. There’s nothing magical about reverse osmosis, it’s just pressure across a semi-permeable membrane. But you know what you need to have pressure? Force. And to have force over a distance. Energy. Guess which critical item is running low to make all your dreams come true.
penury on Thu, 24th Mar 2016 12:43 pm
And of course the solution is to spend more money to “create” more resource to be used by humans. Never consider that maybe the solution is fewer humans.
Apneaman on Thu, 24th Mar 2016 12:45 pm
The world is not going to stave off the looming water crisis or any of the other looming crisis although I have been seeing a pattern recently of reports getting more realistic on the timelines. 2100? Fergetaboutit. 2050? Fergetaboutit. Unless you are a real old fuck you ain’t getting out of it.
Dr James Hansen — Human Warming Pushing Seas Toward Exponential Rise of Several Meters This Century
http://robertscribbler.com/2016/03/23/dr-james-hansen-human-warming-pushing-seas-to-exponentially-rise-by-several-meters-this-century/
We had all better hope these scientists are wrong about the planet’s future
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2016/03/22/we-had-all-better-hope-these-scientists-are-wrong-about-the-planets-future/
twocats on Thu, 24th Mar 2016 6:13 pm
Good point Apnea, the scientists have begun to crack under the basic reality. It’s hard to say something is going to happen in 2050 when it just happened outside your window and the 2050 trendline is “all oxygen on earth spontaneously combusts”
makati1 on Thu, 24th Mar 2016 8:48 pm
Ap, I’m one of those ‘real old fucks’, lol, and I don’t expect to see the worse to come. But then, my parents live to be almost 90 and I have an uncle who is 94 and still healthy. I may get to see 2035 or later. We shall see. I would only like to last that long to see the end of it all. I am not afraid of death. It comes to all of us.
What some here do not notice or think about is that the large continent’s centers will dry up first. And yes, that includes the US. The ‘dust bowl’ was just a warmup for what is to come. Australia is already experiencing this as is western China and Brazil.
I don’t have to worry as Luzon, the big island I live on, gets 10+ feet of rain on the east coast(Pacific) side and about 5 feet of rain on the western (South China Sea) side and is pretty much evenly spaced over the year. My farm is on the Pacific coast so rain will easily provide enough water for us. If the prevailing winds change, the world ecology is already done for as are humans.
Apneaman on Fri, 25th Mar 2016 12:47 pm
Drought hits Indian coal plants and expansion plans
“Despite the Indian Government’s determination to double or even triple domestic coal production, the power sector is now being hit by water scarcity – with a new report warning the crisis could get far, far worse.
A little over a week ago the operators of the 2100 megawatt (MW) coal-fired Farakka power station in West Bengal shut down five of the six turbines due to lack of water.
A few days later the 500 MW sixth unit was shut down as well. There wasn’t even enough water to supply the taps for workers at the plant or the adjoining township.”
http://reneweconomy.com.au/2016/drought-hits-indian-coal-plants-and-plans-31170
Kenz300 on Fri, 25th Mar 2016 1:18 pm
Fossil fuel and nuclear power plant use a lot of water to generate electricity……….
One more reason to transition to wind and solar power to generate electricity………………
Save water……..use wind and solar for power………….