The global water crisis is real and it is happening as you are reading this. Half of all global food is threatened by the growing water crisis in the present time. In another two decades, this figure could go up to 80 percent which can have devastating effects on the world’s food needs.
Densely populated areas such as northwestern India, northeastern China and southern and eastern Europe will bear the brunt of water mismanagement. This study which has attracted global banner headlines was made open to public by Global Commission on the Economics of Water. This goes in sync with the predictions of various economists that if ever there was a World War 3 it would be fought over water.
While water scarcity will have a seismic effect on humans and the environment, it will also have an economic impact. The Global Commission on the Economics of water estimates that a lack of clean water due to climate change and the chronic mismanagement of land could cut global economic growth by 8 percent on average, almost double the losses in lower-income countries.
The global water crisis is a tragedy but is also an opportunity to transform the economies of water and to start by valuing water properly so as to recognise its scarcity.
A queer coincidence in uptown Srinagar city as many areas are grappling with water scarcity. Serpentine queues of protestors outside Jal Shakti department offices demanding water supply. As the level of water in the water bodies gown it becomes increasingly difficult to supply it to every household in the valley. By 2050 as the population of the whole valley would be around 22 million souls it would be a herculean task to help reach constant water supply to such a large population.
Water is as important as life itself. Let us learn to preserve it and value it.
