The developing world is most impacted by issues relating to water supply and contamination, with some of the most severe aquifer reduction occurring in the Middle East, South Asia and North Africa. However, these issues are not limited to the developing world and are problems also faced by high-income countries.
Many developed cities face these problems due to an old and decaying water infrastructure that withdraws groundwater at unsustainable rates. Water stress is as old as time, but in the past water scarcity found relief through import/export commerce. However this solution may soon cease to exist, a recent report of McKinsey and Company found that within two decades, collective water demands will exceed expected supply by 40%. That shortage will drive up food prices, disrupt energy, constrict trade, create refugees and undermine authorities. Consequently, the term âWater-Food-Energy Nexusâ has recently become current-mainly as a policy tool-to integrate these elements. Water infuses not only our ground beef patty, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions, ketchup, and sesame seed bun, but also the bag and packaging in which the hamburger is provided, the building in which it was grilled, the energy to cook it, and the financial system that lent the franchise capital. Additionally, security of water resources is the thread that links the network of food, energy, climate, economic growth, and human security challenges that the global economy faces over recent years.
Last date updated on April, 2024
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