Halcyon Identifies

 

As global population increases and people become wealthier, agricultural production will need to likewise increase, but food systems may become more stressed because of competition for water.

 

About 80% of the world's population lives in areas where the fresh water supply is not secure, according to a new index of water threats that includes issues such as scarcity and pollution.

 

700m or so extra people may move to cities by mid-century and may double or triple demand for health services, transport, energy, housing, sanitation, food and water.

 

The amount of water used to produce food and goods imported by developed countries worsens shortages in the developing world.

 

Global water requirements will grow by 50%+ within 20 years; 40% higher than the current sustainable supply.   Meanwhile, more people die from unsafe water than from all forms of violence.

 

Growing demand for meat means more land used to grow grain to feed cattle and for pasture, while overgrazing leads to top soil loss and water wastage.

 

Concern is growing over the state of the Earth's nine, interdependent, "life-support systems".

 

1.2bn people now have limited access to water - a number expected to rise due to the effects of pollution, urbanisation, and climate change. World leaders are being urged to ensure that the rich/poor and urban/rural divides don't determine who has access to clean water.

 

Water scarcity is increasing globally as more and more people live in "closed basins" - regions in which demand outstrips water supply.

Climate change is becoming the biggest global health threat, a leading medical journal has claimed, noting that water and food shortages, and extreme weather are drastically affecting the world's poor.