How important is water in the future?

How important is water in the future?

According to the U.S. Intelligence Community Assessment of Global Water Security, by 2030 humanity’s “annual global water requirements” will exceed “current sustainable water supplies” by 40%. Water demand is projected to grow by 55 percent by 2050 (including a 400-percent rise in manufacturing water demand).

Why is water important globally?

Water is at the core of sustainable development and is critical for socio-economic development, energy and food production, healthy ecosystems and for human survival itself. Together, they are vital for reducing the global burden of disease and improving the health, education and economic productivity of populations.

Are water futures a thing?

And just last year, the Chicago Mercantile Exchange started the first-ever futures market for water, meaning farmers, as well as investors, municipalities and hedge funds, can buy a legal agreement known as a “futures contract” that locks in a predetermined price for water that will be used in the future.

What is the future of freshwater resources?

While the future is difficult to predict, available freshwater resources will certainly decrease in the coming years due to the increasing demand of a growing world population. Many areas of the world that are already experiencing a shortage of water resources will see their water issues worsen, causing hardships for millions.

Can we predict the future of the world’s water supply?

Here are 18 projections that attempt to predict the future of the world’s water supply. By 2020 about 30-40% of the world will have water scarcity, and according to the researchers, climate change can make this even worse.

How many people in the world will need water in 2050?

By 2050, some 3.5 billion to 4.4 billion people around the world will live with limited access to water, more than 1 billion of them in cities. Among 482 cities, more than a quarter will face demands that outpace supply, according to a study that analyzed water sources and demands.

What is happening to the world’s water?

As the global population rises, agricultural production rises to meet demand for more varied diets. In recent decades, the increase in water withdrawal from the ground or lakes and rivers has slowed, whether for agriculture, industries or municipalities, but it still outpaced the rate of population growth since 1940.